Bolanle Raheem: Vandi Closes Defence

Suspended assistant superintendent of police (ASP), Drambi Vandi, the alleged killer of Lagos-based lawyer, Mrs. Omobolanle Raheem, on Wednesday closed his defence before the Lagos State High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square.

Vandi closed his case after concluding his testimony as the sole defence witness in the case.

The defendant was arraigned before Justice Harrison by the Lagos State government on a one-count charge of murder contrary to Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

At the resumed hearing of the matter on Wednesday, Vandi told the court that he had never come across the bullet that was requested for by his counsel and that it was not the same ammunition as the one that was originally in his rifle on 25th of December, 2023.

He narrated how he had attended a local training school, where he had taken up a course on Arms and Ammunition.

He said that in the barracks, he and other police officers get proper training every five months about rifles to refresh their memories.

Drambi also revealed that in the training school, was where he learnt about the different types of rifles, pistols and ammunition for police officers while adding that he was trained on how to couple and dismantle a police arms and ammunition.

When the bullet and magazine containing six bullets, was requested for, the witness (Drambi), explained to the court that, a portion of P19 is the shell of an assorted rifle and it is used in AK-47 rifle adding that the exhibit is a long-range bullet.

When he was cross-examined by the Director of Public Prosecution, Dr. Babajide Martins, the witness said on 25th of December, 2022, he was on duty at Ajah Underbridge and he was with a rifle that had 25 rounds of ammunition which he booked from the armourer and signed for.

He also told the court that he was not the only officer that was armed on that particular day.

The judge however, adjourned the case to 13th July, 2023 for adoption of final written addresses