NHRC insists on justice for Bolanle Raheem

The Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, Chief Tony Ojukwu has condemned the killing of a female lawyer Bolanle Raheem by a policeman in Ajah Lagos State.

In a statement by the Deputy Director Corporate Affairs and External Linkages of the NHRC, Hajiya Fatimah Agwai-Mohammed, the commission describes the killing of Bolanle Raheem by a policeman who is expected to protect the citizens as unfortunate.

According to the statement, the officer has fallen short of standard operating procedure and professional ethics of the Nigerian Police Force.

Chief Ojukwu, calls on the hierarchy of the Nigerian Police as a matter of necessity, ensure that officers who bear arms must, by all means be mentally balanced and respect the rules of engagement of the police force.

He says the Commission went around the country to train police officers on human rights best practices and how to mainstream human rights in law enforcement operations, “yet we are still recording sad incidents of extra-judicial killings perpetrated by the police officers ”.

While commending the Lagos State police command for prompt action to arrest and put the errant officer in custody, Chief Ojukwu, notes that the commission will continue to monitor the process of investigation and prosecution of the errant officer to ensure that justice is adequately served.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria commiserates with the family of Bolanle Raheem, as well as the Nigerian Bar Association over the unfortunate death.

He said the lawyer’s death came as a shock to the commission, and that there must be a permanent solution to check this form of avoidable killings by the police.

Chief Ojukwu, says it is unfortunate to know that the commission has recorded several incidents of extrajudicial killings by the police and promised to do all that is within its powers to ensure that these cases are not swept under the carpet.

In another development, the Nigerian Bar Association has requested that the police provide complete information about the officer who shot and killed a lawyer, Mrs Omobolanle Raheem, in Ajah, Lagos.

The NBA condemned “the cold-blooded murder” of its member in a statement issued on Monday, and demanded more information about the killing, which has sparked outrage and condemnation, as well as condolences from the police, who say the officers involved have been arrested.

“While the NBA acknowledges the police authorities’ sympathy and regret over this incident,” the NBA said in a statement. “The NBA President has unequivocally demanded that the Nigerian Police officially disclose and immediately release to Nigerians the fuller details of the errant officer and other officers responsible for this heinous act.”

The Association says it was informed that “the suspected murderer of our member is one ASP Drambi Vandi, an officer, who has been in the police service for 33 years!”

The Association condemned the killing, as NBA President Mr Yakubu Maikyau condoled with Raheem’s family.

Bolanle Raheem, a lawyer was shot dead by a police official on Christmas day at the Ajah area of Lagos State.