Shooting of Lagos-Based Lawyer: NBA Monitoring Situation as Police Laments
Mr Ikechukwu Uwanna, Chairman of the Lagos branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in a statement on Monday stated that the NBA was monitoring the situation around the killing of a Lagos-based lawyer, Omobolanle Raheem.
Raheem was reportedly shot dead by a trigger-happy policeman at a checkpoint in the Ajah area of Lagos on Sunday while returning from a Christmas service with her husband.
Uwanna noted that the NBA had sent a delegation to commiserate with Raheem’s family after confirming veracity of the reports of the incident. The NBA Lagos Chairman added that the NBA President, Yakubu Maikyau SAN and members of his executive committee were also monitoring the situation to ensure the matter is given the attention it deserves.
“At about 5pm yesterday, 25th December, 2022, when everyone was celebrating the Christmas holiday, I received the sad news of the killing of one of our members, Mrs. Omobolanle Raheem, by an officer of the Nigerian Police Force under the Jubilee bridge at Ajah, Lagos State.
“I immediately reached out to the Branch Vice Chairperson and Chairperson of the Human Rights Committee (Mrs. Abiye Tam-George) who with other members of her committee swung into action to confirm the veracity of the news.
“Sadly, the news has since been confirmed to be true and the remains of our slain colleague deposited at the Mortuary,” Uwanna said.
The NBA Lagos Chairman added: “The police authorities have confirmed that the police officer who shot and killed our colleague has been arrested and is currently being detained.
“I have been in touch with Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer (Benjamin Hundeyin) and the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State (Mr. Abiodun Alabi) who have been very sympathetic and have assured us that the investigation and prosecution of the killer of Mrs. Raheem will be swift.
“The NBA President, Mr. Y. C. Maikyau SAN, and his Exco have also been monitoring the situation to ensure that the matter is given all the serious attention it deserves.
“Members of our NBA Lagos Branch Human Rights Committee, led by Mrs. Tam-George, have met with the DPO of Ajiwe Police Station, and will meet with the Commissioner of Police later today to emphasize our mandate of ensuring that justice is neither delayed nor denied. The committee members have also proceeded to visit the family of our slain member as at the time of releasing this statement.
“I urge us all to take a moment today to pray for the repose of the soul of our slain colleague, and that God will console her husband and family members.
“We will provide updates as the matter develops.”
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has described the incident as “one too many”. In a statement issued by Command’s public relations officer, Benjamin Hundeyin on Monday, the command noted that a similar incident had occurred in the same area just a week prior.
“On the instruction of the Commissioner of Police, the errant officer has since been taken into custody alongside his team members. The CP has equally directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba for in-depth investigation.
“This has become one too many, especially bearing in mind that a similar incident occurred at the same location less than three weeks ago. The condemnable incident is against the standard operating procedures (SOP) and rules of engagement of the Force, and to say the least is embarrassing,” Hundeyin said.
The police PRO added that “beyond this incident, the Nigeria Police Force will carry out a reappraisal of its rules of engagement in a bid to put an end to such avoidable ugly incidents.”
