The Lagos State High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square has stood down the arraignment of ASP Drambi Vandi, the policeman who reportedly killed a Lagos-based lawyer, Omobolanle Raheem, on Christmas Day.
The presiding judge, Justice I.O. Harrison made the order following the absence of a lawyer to defend Vandi. The court had also earlier stood down the matter following the absence of the lead prosecution counsel.
The Nation reported that Vandi’s arraignment was scheduled for 9am on Monday.
Justice Harrison, upon being informed of the presence of Nigerian Bar Association President, Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, and that of the NBA Lagos Branch Chairman, Ikechukwu Uwanna, urged them to make arrangements for a lawyer to defend Vandi pro bono and Maikyau agreed.
PUNCH Metro had reported on December 25, 2022, that ASP Vandi, attached to the Ajiwe Police Station in Ajah, Lagos State, allegedly shot Raheem while she was returning from church in the company of her family.
He was thereafter arrested and appeared before Chief Magistrate C.A. Adedayo on December 30, 2022, a day after the Police Service Commission approved his suspension.
Following the court judgement, he was remanded at the Ikoyi custodial facility pending advice of the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions.
