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The trial of police officer, ASP Drambi Vandi, accused of killing Lagos lawyer, Bolanle Raheem, began on the Lagos State Excessive Court docket at this time January 16, with the primary prosecution witness, Inspector Matthew Ameh, telling the courtroom that the household automobile of the deceased lawyer was flagged down by cops conducting a cease and search as a result of it didn’t have a plate quantity, Channels TV reviews.
Led in his testimony by the Legal professional Normal of Lagos, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Moyosore Onigbanjo, Ameh informed the courtroom that when the automobile was stopped, Vandi who was the chief of their patrol staff, was behind whereas he was within the center, and one other colleague was in entrance. Based on the witness, his colleague who was in entrance was the primary individual to flag the automotive down however the automotive didn’t cease.
“I additionally flagged down the automotive, the automotive didn’t cease for me. The automotive is a Toyota automobile and it had no plate quantity. I noticed folks within the automotive. I don’t understand how many individuals have been within the automotive as a result of it didn’t cease.”Ameh informed the courtroom
The Legal professional Normal requested him to make clear if the automobile didn’t have a quantity plate or it was a case of him not seeing the quantity plate
“It had no quantity plate. After that the following factor I heard was a gunshot. I seemed again to see what was taking place, I noticed a automotive by which the windscreen was falling down. The subsequent factor, I noticed is that one darkish girl jumped down from the automobile. She held SUPOL Vandi and he or she mentioned ‘Oga you’ve killed my sister’. The lady held him. The subsequent factor, they entered the automotive and so they all zoomed off.” he mentioned
The witness additionally testified that whereas Vandi and the opposite officer have been armed, he was unarmed.
Ameh informed the courtroom that after the automotive zoomed off with Inspector Vandi, he and his colleague went again to the workplace with out figuring out his whereabouts.
“Later the DPO introduced again inspector Vandi with the patrol earlier than taking them to Panti. The incident occurred round 1pm on the trustworthy day.” he mentioned
Beneath cross-examination by counsel to Vandi, Adetokunbo Odutola, the witness repeated that he didn’t know the variety of folks using within the automotive as a result of the automotive didn’t cease for a search. He additionally repeated his earlier testimony that the deceased household’s automobile had no quantity plate.
The witness additionally testified that there was no risk from the household to the police patrol staff.
After his testimony, the witness was discharged and the courtroom adjourned proceedings until the January twenty fifth and twenty sixth. The courtroom additionally ordered an accelerated listening to of the matter.
Earlier than the testimony, Vandi was arraigned on a one rely cost of homicide.
The cost reads;
“that you just ASP Drambi Vandi on the twenty fifth day of December 2022, at Ajah Street lengthy the Lekki Expressway, Lagos unlawfully killed one Omobolanle Raheem by capturing the deceased within the chest opposite to Part 223 of the Prison Legislation of Lagos State 2015.”
When the cost was learn to the defendant, he pleaded not responsible.
