Lagos lawyer murder: Police release 2 arrested officers

The Lagos State Police Command says two officers arrested with an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Dambri Vandi, over the alleged killing of a lawyer in the Ajah area of the state, Omobolanle Raheem, would be released today (Tuesday), noting that they were not involved in the crime.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, made this known while giving an update on the killing on Tuesday.

The Lagos State Police Command, on Christmas Day, arrested ASP Vandi and two other officers attached to Ajiwe police station in Ajah for allegedly killing Raheem.

Hundeyin, however, said they were taken into protective custody immediately and were later transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for thorough investigation.

He said the two police officers arrested with the ASP were detained for interrogation and testimonies.

“The two policemen arrested with ASP, who killed the lawyer, will be released today (Tuesday) after giving their testimonies to the command.

“They were arrested because they saw what happened. They were not the ones who allegedly killed the woman.

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“They have given their stories on what happened and the CP has ordered that they should be released while investigations continue,” the police spokesman stated.

On the update about the similar killing of one Gafaru Buraimoh on December 7 by a police officer from the same Ajiwe police station, Hundeyin said the officer was still in detention and yet to be charged to court.

He noted that the police officer was yet to be arraigned because his dismissal order has not been released.

“There are indeed consequences. The officer is still in detention at the SCID. His investigation is being wrapped up.

“Once his dismissal order comes out, he will be charged to court immediately,” he said.

Hundeyin stated that there was nothing wrong with the spot or area where the killings took place, but the officers, who killed the victims, would be held responsible for their actions.

He noted that when the first incident occurred on December 7, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, changed the DPO of the station after the incident.

“This has become one too many, especially, bearing in mind that a similar incident occurred at the same location less than three weeks ago.

“The condemnable incident is against the standard operating procedure (SOP) and rules of engagement of the Force, and to say the least is embarrassing.

“Beyond this incident, the Nigeria Police Force will carry out a reappraisal of its rules of engagement, to put an end to such avoidable ugly incidents,” the police spokesperson added.

Hundeyin, however, urged the residents of the state to remain calm, saying the command was already in touch with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that justice totally prevailed.

The Star