For his part in the death of Lagos lawyer Bolanle Raheem, Assistant Superintendent of Police Drambi Vandi is to die by hanging.

Recall that Raheem was fatally shot on Christmas Day of last year in the Lagos State area of Ajah.

She was allegedly on her way home from church when she was shot and killed by an Ajiwe Police Station officer who was later identified as ASP Vandi.

Ruling on the matter, which attracted national attention when it occurred in 2022, Justice Ibironke Harrison of a Lagos High Court on Monday found the police officer, Darambi Vandi, guilty on a one-count charge of murder and sentenced him to death by hanging for shooting and killing the Lagos-based lawyer, Mrs Omobolanle Raheem at the Ajah underbridge checkpoint on December 25, 2022.

The judge pronounced: “The court finds the defendant guilty on one count of murder. You will be hanged by the neck till you are dead.”

Reacting to the judgement, the Lagos Island NBA branch, where the late Bolanla belonged before her death, said they were glad they made a major contribution to getting justice for one of their own.

The branch chairman, Mr Olabisi Makanjuola, told The Punch in an interview, “We are happy to have seen the case through to a conclusion and hope that the family and friends of our beloved colleague can now have some form of closure, even though we know that this will not bring Bolanle back to life.

“We see the judgment as a step in the right direction as it sends a strong message that security agents can no longer get away with abuse of office.

“We hope this will serve as a strong deterrent to would-be future offenders. We also hope that the speed with which this matter was determined will be accorded other matters, whether civil or criminal.”

Meanwhile, Vandi’s counsel, Adetokunbo Odutola, said he would know the next step to take when he reads the judgment.

He said, “I don’t have any regrets taking up this case. The spirit of the Lord directed me, and I know it didn’t direct me wrongly.”