Crimes

Lawyer’s husband: How policeman killed my wife on Xmas day

Gbenga Raheem, the husband of the slain lawyer in Lagos, Omobolanle Raheem, on Thursday, told a Lagos High Court that his wife was shot dead in a car given to her two days earlier.

Gbenga testified at the trial of ASP Drambi Vandi who allegedly shot and killed the female lawyer on the last Christmas Day.

Gbenga said the deceased received the Toyota Venza from a property developer she worked with.

He was led in evidence by the Attorney-General of Lagos State and Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN.

The husband of the late lawyer stated that he had intimacy with the deceased in the morning of the Christmas Day, adding that he surprised her and their children with gifts on the fateful day.

Gbenga disclosed that his late wife and the children were excited at the gift, adding that the entire family members had their breakfasts and went to church in the new car.

He narrated that they went to the World Assembly Church, where they got married 10 years ago.

“After the service, we decided to go to Domino’s Pizza, near Ajah Under Bridge, to get Pizza for everyone.

“On our way back, as I did a U-Turn, I saw police officers ahead. The car in front slowed down, I overtook the car and there was an officer on my left that said I should park.

“The officer was following me and giving me signals to park.

“All of a sudden, I heard a sound on my wife. The passenger’s window smashed and I saw blood gushing from her chest.

“I quickly parked and ran out of the car with my sister-in-law who was sitting behind my wife.

“My sister-in-law held the officer, he pointed the gun at her, saying he would shoot her,” the husband of the slain lawyer stated.

Gbenga further narrated how he took his wife to a hospital to save her life but did not succeed.

After his evidence, Omobolanle’s sister, Titilayo Enema, also gave evidence.

She said she saw the defendant carrying a gun, adding that when she heard a gunshot sound, she thought the defendant hit the car’s windscreen.

“Then I heard my sister say, ‘Gbenga, bullet has entered my chest’. She repeated it; and immediately her neck dropped, her tongue came out, then her eyes closed.

“I shouted and ran out of the vehicle. I held the police officer and said, ‘You just shot my sister’. The defendant pointed the gun at me and said he would shoot me.

“When I held him because of what he did, I was scared, but later, I saw two boys who said I should hold him. I then became bold.

“I dragged him and said he should sit near my sister who he just shot.

“I went to Ajiwe Police Station and started shouting that I wanted to see the Divisional Police Officer but they told me he was not around,” she disclosed.

During cross-examination, the witness said she saw the defendant carrying a gun.

“I know what I saw that day. I know who shot my sister,” she said.

The presiding judge, Justice Ibironke Harrison, therefore, adjourned the case until February 1 for continuation of trial.

The Star