Nigeria: Court sentences police officer who killed Lagos lawyer Bolanle Lawal to death by hanging
By Ahmad Hadizat Omayoza, Mamos Nigeria
A Lagos State High Court has sentenced Dolanbi Vandi, the suspended police officer who shot dead Lagos-based lawyer Bolanle Raheem, to death by hanging.
Judge Ibironke Harrison on Monday found the police officer guilty of murder.
“The court found the defendant guilty of one count of murder.” “He will be hanged until he dies,” Mr. Harrison said.
On December 25, 2022, Vanguard reported that Vandi allegedly killed his then pregnant wife Raheem at Aja roundabout in Lagos.
The police officer was attached to Ajwe Police Station in Ajah District of the state.
Vandy’s heinous act was widely condemned by Nigerians and he was suspended two days after the incident.
The Lagos State Government charged the defendant with the murder of a lawyer only once and subsequently prosecuted him.
Since the trial began in January, her husband, sister, police armorer, pathologist and seven others have testified against the defendant.
The prosecution submitted 27 points of evidence.
Vandy was the only witness to testify in his own defense.
In a statement in court, Vandy told the judge that the bullet presented in court that allegedly killed Raheem was not from the rifle he had in his possession on the day of the incident.
