Lagos, Dec. 29, 2022 – The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has demanded about N5 billion in compensations for the family of slain Lagos lawyer, Mrs. Omobolanle Raheem.
It said in a statement on Thursday that it would also monitor the trial of Drambi Vandi, the Assistant Superintendent of Police, who allegedly shot and killed Mrs Raheem in Lagos on Christmas Day.
Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN) and member of NBA Lagos, said he had been appointed to lead the monitoring team.
“The NBA Lagos, in conjunction with the NBA President, Mr. Y.C. Mikyau, SAN, has decided to be part of the prosecution of the policeman as part of its efforts towards securing quick and effective justice for the family of the deceased.
“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.
“The NBA will seek for payment of damages not less than five billion naira in addition to the prosecution of the killer cop,” he said.
Adegboruwa urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to follow the model that 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.”
The SAN called for immediate implementation of the EndSARS Judicial Panel Report in which far-reaching recommendations were made in relation to the psychological orientation for all police officers in the handling and use of weapons;
Other recommendations of the panel included training for police officers on basic human rights observance and enforcement as well as improvement of 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.
The panel also recommended recruitment of more police officers to reduce the pressure upon the existing officers whose number is not adequate to effectively police the country. (GBN)
