Justice must prevail in slain lawyer’s case, IGP assures Sanwo-Olu

There will be no cover-ups in the investigation and trial of the killer of Lagos lawyer, Mrs. Bolanle Raheem, the Inspector-General of Police Usman Alkali Baba has promised.

He spoke when Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu visited him.

Mrs Raheem was shot by an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Drambi Vandi at Ajiwe in Ajah on Christmas Day.

She was in the company of her family on their way from church.

The governor promised to ensure an open investigation and prosecution of the culprits.

Sanwo-Olu, who said the outcome of investigations was very important to the government and people of Lagos, stressed that the process leading to justice for the victim must be transparent.

He spoke on Thursday morning when he visited the IG at the Police headquarters in Abuja.

The governor said: “We have come here to extend season greetings to the Inspector-General of Police and also brief him on the security situation in Lagos State, especially the very recent unfortunate death of Mrs. Bolanle Raheem in the hands of a policeman.

“We really need to get a sense of security architecture in the state and ensure that incidents like this are reduced to the barest minimum.

“We also need better collaboration because we did not have any other police force.

“It is also important for us to come here and get a sense of how soon the offending officer can be charged to court.

“And we have gotten a positive response and engagement from the IG himself.

“We are hopeful that this meeting will be very useful. There are a lot of things we are taking back home.

“We called the Commissioner of Police and he briefed us as to what they are doing in Lagos.

“Essentially, it is to continue to work with the Police, what we can do around providing some additional equipment, and ensuring we can jointly have advocacy programmes that can enhance and improve public and police communication…”

Usman assured Sanwo-Olu there will be no cover-up in the murder case.

He said: “Governor Sanwo-Olu is here to find out how far we have gone in investigating the incident that happened on Christmas Day.

“I have assured him that this incident will be investigated.

“The state Attorney-General will intervene in the case for him to take over the prosecution from the police.

“I can assure you there will be no hanky-panky.

“We are saddened about the incident and again extend my condolences to the bereaved family, Lagos and Nigeria at large.

“We will continue to improve on our officers’ handling of firearms, and we also appeal to Nigerians to be responsible.”

(Nation)