A ruling on a “no case submission” filed by the suspended Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP, Drambi Vandi, who allegedly killed a Lagos-based lawyer, Omobolanle Raheem, on December 25, 2022, has been reserved by the Lagos High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square on Lagos Island until April 3.
Justice Ibironke Harrison reserved the date after defense counsel, Mr. Adetokunbo Odutola, adopted his final written address on behalf of his client in a no-case submission application filed before the court on February 20, 2023.
In the application, Vandi asked the court to dismiss the suit and discharge him, claiming that he has no case to answer.
During the hearing, the defense counsel argued that none of the eyewitnesses saw the defendant shoot, and the ballistic report of the gun allegedly fired expressly stated that the bullet cannot be linked with any of the firearms recovered from the police officers at the scene.
Odutola also noted the testimony of the pathologist who confirmed that the death of the deceased was a result of a gunshot injury at the left axillary fold and the bullet moved from a posterior to anterior and the bullet pierced through the chest.
The defense counsel argued that the evidence led and the documents tendered do not present a compellable case of suspicion to enable the court to order the defendant to enter his defense.
The prosecution led by the Attorney General of Lagos State, Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), however, countered the arguments and urged the defendant to defend himself, insisting that the prosecution has successfully made its case against him. After listening to the arguments of both parties, Justice Harrison adjourned the matter until April 3 for ruling.
On Jan. 16th, the Lagos State Government commenced the prosecution of ASP Drambi Vandi by calling its first witness, Inspector Matthew Ameh, a police officer who was present at the crime scene. Before then, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice arraigned Vandi on a one-count charge of murder, three days after the incident alleged that Vandi killed Raheem by shooting her in the chest, an offense contrary to Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. ASP Vandi pleaded not guilty.
On Feb. 15th, the prosecution closed its case against the defendant after calling eleven witnesses, which included police officers, the husband and sister of the deceased, the ballistician, and the pathologist, Dr. Oluwaseun Williams.