NBA demands N5bn for slain lawyer’s family

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) says it will demand N5 billion compensation for the family of a lawyer, Omobolanle Raheem, who was allegedly shot dead by an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Drambi Vandi, in the Ajah area of Lagos State on Christmas Day.

The NBA equally said it would monitor the trial of ASP Vandi, who allegedly shot its member dead.

This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by a member of the NBA Lagos branch and rights activist, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN.

Adegboruwa, who noted that he was appointed to lead the monitoring team, stated that the NBA Lagos branch, in conjunction with the NBA President, Y.C. Mikyau, SAN, has decided to be part of the prosecution of the police officer to ensure a quick and effective justice for the family of the slain lawyer.

“In this regard, the NBA will be partnering with the Ministry of Justice during the trial.

“Mr. Adegboruwa has in turn obtained relevant briefing from the Hon. Attorney-General of Lagos State and has secured the assurances of an accelerated prosecution once the case file is received from the police.

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“The NBA is also seeking monetary compensation for the family of Mrs. Raheem from the government of Lagos State, the Federal Government, and indeed the Nigeria Police Force and the Police Service Commission, through its Human Rights Committee.

“The NBA will seek for payment of damages not less than five billion naira in addition to the prosecution of the killer cop,” he noted.

Adegboruwa urged Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to follow the process he adopted during the EndSARS Judicial Panel to “pay compensation to the family of Mrs. Raheem immediately since it is an established fact that her life was terminated illegally by a policeman.”

He also called for the immediate implementation of the EndSARS Judicial Panel Report in which far-reaching recommendations were made in relation to:

“1. Psychological orientation for all police officers in the handling and use of weapons;

“2. Training for police officers on basic human rights observance and enforcement;

“3. Improving the welfare of all police officers in terms of their take-home pay, conditions of service, their places of work, and residences in order to make them more conducive;

“4. Recruitment of more police officers to reduce the pressure upon the existing officers whose number is not adequate to effectively police the country.”

The NBA member, therefore, urged the government and the relevant authorities to “go beyond mere press statements of lamentations on the gruesome murder of Mrs. Raheem and to accelerate the prosecution of the killer and payment of compensation to the family of the deceased and all other victims of police brutality.”

The Star