The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has said it will ensure that justice is served in the case of a lawyer, Bolanle Raheem, who was shot dead by an ASP on Christmas Day, while inside a vehicle with her husband in the Ajah area of Lagos State.
In a reaction to the incident, the National Publicity Secretary, NBA, Akorede Lawal, described the incident as unfortunate, adding that the president of the association, Yakubu Maikyau, was monitoring the situation.
Lawal tweeted, “We are aware of this unfortunate incident. This is yet another crime against a lawyer. Regrettably, our member is gone. The NBA President @YCMaikyauSAN is right on this and we shall ensure that justice is duly served.”
We are aware of this unfortunate incident. This is yet another crime against a lawyer. Regrettably, our member is gone. The NBA President @YCMaikyauSAN is right on this and we shall ensure that justice is duly served. https://t.co/bigvQaG0ND
— Akorede Habeeb Lawal (@lawalhab) December 26, 2022
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, has said the officer responsible for the killing and others have been taken into custody.
He tweeted, “Unfortunate and avoidable incident that was. The ASP that shot and two others with him have since been taken into custody. They are to be moved to the SCID for further investigation.
“The Lagos State Police Command condoles with the family, friends and colleagues of Barrister Bolanle Raheem.
“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Abiodun Alabi, has been in touch with the family and the Nigerian Bar Association since yesterday and has given firm assurances that justice will definitely prevail.”
She was said to have been shot at close range by the yet to be identified Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP).
It was gathered that the family was on its way back from church when the incident happened under the Ajah bridge and near the police station.
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It was learnt that the policemen were allegedly extorting motorists on the highway and had asked Raheem’s husband, who was driving to park their vehicle.
According to the deceased’s junior colleague, her husband slowed down and was waiting for the car In front of them to move so he could park properly.
“My boss Barr Omobolanle Raheem was shot dead by a police officer on her way back from Christmas service at Ajah under bridge.
“Her family just called me now, that they need a lawyer to stand in for them before the police changes the narrative.
“They have taken the matter to Ajiwe Police Station. The police officer is from Ajiwe station.
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“Her husband was the one driving, Barr. Omobolanle was seated in the front with her husband.
“The officer asked them to park and they needed the vehicle in front to move so they can park well, and immediately the police officer shot at a close range right into her chest.
“On seeing what happened, the remaining police officers on duty there absconded.
“After a while, some policemen came and moved her body to the mortuary in Yaba, without obtaining any consent from her family members.
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