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By Lukman Olabiyi, Lagos
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has said it will demand at least N5 billion compensation for the family of slain Lagos lawyer, Mrs Omobolanle Raheem.
The association will also monitor the trial of Assistant Superintendent, Drambi Vandi, who shot and killed Mrs Raheem in Lagos on Christmas Day.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by a member of the NBA Lagos Branch and rights activist, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, on Thursday.
In the statement, Adegboruwa disclosed that the association has been appointed to lead the monitoring team for the trial of trigger happy cop.
Mrs Raheem, an expectant mother, was in her car in the Ajah area of Lagos on her way back from church with her family when she was shot.
Adegboruwa’s statement read in part: “The NBA Lagos in conjunction with the NBA President, Mr YC Mikyau, SAN, has decided to be part of the prosecution of the policeman as part of its efforts towards securing quick and effective justice for the family of the deceased.
“In this regard, the NBA will be partnering with the Ministry of Justice during the trial.
“Mr Adegboruwa has in turn obtained relevant briefing from the Hon. Attorney-General of Lagos State and has secured the assurances of an accelerated prosecution once the case file is received from the police.
“The NBA is also seeking monetary compensation for the family of Mrs Raheem from the government of Lagos State, the Federal Government, and indeed the Nigeria Police Force and the Police Service Commission, through its Human Rights Committee.
“The NBA will seek for payment of damages not less than five billion naira in addition to the prosecution of the killer cop.”
The right activist also urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to follow the model that he adopted during the EndSARS Judicial Panel to “pay compensation to the family of Mrs Raheem immediately since it is an established fact that her life was terminated illegally by a policeman.”
The SAN called for the immediate implementation of the EndSARS Judicial Panel Report in which far-reaching recommendations were made in relation to:
“1. Psychological orientation for all police officers in the handling and use of weapons;
“2. Training for police officers on basic human rights observance and enforcement;
“3. Improving the welfare of all police officers in terms of their take-home pay, conditions of service, their places of work, and residences in order to make them more conducive;
“4. Recruitment of more police officers to reduce the pressure upon the existing officers whose number is not adequate to effectively police the country.”
Adegboruwa held that it was unacceptable that the issues that led to the 5 for 5 demands of the youths and the EndSARS protests in 2020 had not been addressed despite repeated promises from the government.
He urged the government and the relevant authorities to “go beyond mere press statements of lamentations on the gruesome murder of Mrs Raheem and to accelerate the prosecution of the killer and payment of compensation to the family of the deceased and all other victims of police brutality”.
Meanwhile, the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos State, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, says it is “high time numerous calls for genuine police reforms is taken seriously by authorities concerned in our nation”.
In a media release made available by the Special Adviser on Media, Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Rev. Oladapo Daramola, Adegbite said “the number of innocent lives that have been cut down by bad eggs in the police force is quite disturbing and alarming.
“The Christian community in Lagos deeply commiserate with the husband and entire family of Mrs Bolanle Raheem and it is our prayer that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who is the great comforter will strengthen them at this dark and challenging time.
“And as we call for prayers and support for the family, I call on Mr President and the joint committees of the National Assembly on Police Affairs to immediately order a process that would review and amend the Police Act 2020 as it relates to the use of force by men of the Nigeria Police Force and the nature of arm they must bear while on civilian duties as against Military duties within or without Nigeria as may be required of them as specified in our present laws. Also, there should be a constant psychological evaluation of men especially those in the force who bear arms and their mental state and capacity to do so.
“People are going through different mental health issues and men of the NPF are not exempted. And because they have a specialised assignment, periodic assessment of their state of mind cannot be overemphasised.”
He added that situations like this call for drastic measures and it is imperative that this moment must be used to achieve measures that would prevent future occurrences.
