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Tag: lawyer

  • Titanic Submarine: How I escaped death – Senator Ned Nwoko

    Titanic Submarine: How I escaped death – Senator Ned Nwoko

    A lawyer and senator representing Delta north, in the Red Chamber, Ned Nwoko, has revealed how he escaped death in the tragic incident of the Titanic Submarine.

    Nwoko said that he was supposed to join the five men who died in an underwater excursion to see the Titanic wreck few days ago.

    The Delta state-born Senator made this known on his Instagram post on Friday.

    He mourned Hamish Harding, a British businessman and his friend, who was among the five passengers aboard Titan, the missing submersible.

    The US Coast Guard (USCG) reported that the men died from a “catastrophic implosion” after debris believed to be from Titan was found near the Titanic, four days after its disappearance.

    Nwoko stated that he was unable to make the trip because of national duties.

    “We both went on a very dangerous expedition to Southpole Antarctica a few years back. He was a gulf stream pilot who flew across the world in a record-breaking Guinness world record for circumnavigation of the earth some years ago,” Nwoko said.

    “He descended into the Mariana. He also invited me on his space shuttle last year and this very Titan ill-fated adventure but I was tied down with national duties.”

  • I was detained by policemen in Abuja for receiving a female married friend – Lawyer

    I was detained by policemen in Abuja for receiving a female married friend – Lawyer

    A  legal luminary and activist, Ayo Sogunro, has relayed his experience in the hands of policemen shortly after receiving a married female friend in his hotel room in Abuja.

    According to the lawyer, he was made to pass the night in detention for an offense that’s not still clear to him.

    Sogunro narrated via his Twitter account how he arrived in Abuja for a human rights meeting last Friday and reached out to some of his friends to inform them of his presence.

    He said that it was his female married friend who decided to show up first in his hotel room and minutes later, policemen arrived to arrest him.

    Hos Tweet reads: “Of the people I texted, she was the first to get to my place. I had checked into the hotel around 6.20 p.m., and she got there around 6.40 p.m. Barely 15 minutes later, three police officers came to my door.

    “When the police arrived at my door, they asked to be let inside.

    “I denied them entrance and told them they had no authority to enter a private space without a warrant or a clear just cause. Instead, they just pushed me aside and made their way in.

    “On seeing my friend, they asked her to come with them. We both asked why. The police replied that because my friend was a married woman, she should not have been in the hotel with me.”

    Continuing he said after several arguments with the police, the activist and his female friend followed the police to the station.

    At the police station, he said he declined to write a statement without the presence of a lawyer because he was still oblivious to his offence.

    However, the Divisional Police Officer at the station explained that they were in Northern Nigeria, which is under the Penal Code, and it was suspicious for a married woman to visit a man, adding that the police officers were right to invade his room without a warrant.

    “After a while behind the counter, they called me for an interview with the DPO. I was still quite upset at this disruption of my day – and all this started barely one hour after I had landed in Nigeria and entered Abuja.

    “I told the DPO everything they did wrong: the process of arrest before investigation; using the police to settle what was now seeming to be a marital issue not involving me; barging into a hotel room without a warrant; and taking me into custody without a clear charge.

    “I then asked her, well, if that’s the case, where’s their evidence that any offence had been committed?” Sogunro continued.

    After a long discussion with the DPO, he was taken to a cell, where he spent the night.

    “The night behind bars was philosophical. Later, I was more amused than angry. The idea of coming to do a human rights event in Nigeria only to end up in a cell was a hilarious and tragic testament to the Nigerian condition,” Sogunro concluded.
  • Court dismisses police officer’s “no-case” submission in murder of Lagos lawyer

    Court dismisses police officer’s “no-case” submission in murder of Lagos lawyer

    A Lagos High Court on Monday dismissed a “no-case’’ submission filed by ASP Drambi Vandi, who allegedly shot a Lagos-lawyer, Mrs Omobolanle Raheem to death on Dec. 25, 2022.

    Vandi had filed his “no-case’’ application on Feb. 28, praying the court to quash the charge preferred against him.

    His counsel, Mr Gbenro Gbadamosi, had earlier argued that the evidence of the prosecution witnesses called in the case were inconsistent and did not link Vandi to the murder.

    Presiding Justice Ibironke Harrison, held, however, that the prosecution, led by the Attorney-General of Lagos State, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) had established sufficient oral and documentary evidence linking Vandi to the crime.

    Vandi has a case to answer, Justice Harrison ruled.

    “The prosecution has established a prima facie case requiring some explanation by the defendant.

    “The court isn’t looking at the credibility of the prosecution witnesses at this stage. The court will not delve into the substantive case right now.

    “The only real issue now is whether a prima facie case has been made by the prosecution and not whether it has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt,’’ Justice Harrison held.

    She ruled also that the evidence of the defendant, being the only other eyewitness who is yet to testify before the court, would shed light on what happened on Dec. 25, 2022.

    Before the prosecution closed its case on Feb. 15, it had called 11 witnesses made up of eight police officers, some of who are colleagues of the defendant; two eye witnesses and a pathologist.

    Counsel to the defendant told the court that the defence team would review the ruling and decide on whether to go on appeal or not.

    In his submission, Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution, Mr Babajide Martins, said an interlocutory appeal would not stop the continuation of the trial in line with the Administration of Criminal Justice Laws of Lagos State.

    He consequently applied for a date for further hearing.

    The case was adjourned until May 16 for the defendant to open his defence.

    Vandi was arraigned on Jan. 16, on a one-count charge of murder.

    The prosecution stated that the defendant shot and killed the 41-year old pregnant property lawyer by shooting her in the chest in Lekki area of Lagos on the day of the incident.

    It submitted that the offence contravened the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

    Vandi pleaded not guilty to the charge.

  • “Open your defence, a ‘prima facie’ has been made against him” -Court tells ASP Drambi Vandi

    “Open your defence, a ‘prima facie’ has been made against him” -Court tells ASP Drambi Vandi

    The Lagos High Court Sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square, TBS, on Lagos Island has ordered suspended Superintendent of Police, ASP, Drambi Vandi, to open his defence, noting that a ‘prima facie’ has been made against him.

    The suspended police officer (ASP Drambi Vandi) is being accused of killing a Lagos-based lawyer, Omobolanle Raheem, on December 25, 2022, which he filed a “no case submission”.

    The alleged killer Cop had filed his application on February 28, 2023 before the court in a bid to have the charge brought Against him by the Lagos state government, quashed on grouds of weak and inconsistent evidence Linking him to the murder.

    But, the trial judge, Justice Ibironke Harrison, held that the prosecution led by the Attorney-General of Lagos, Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) had established sufficient oral and documentary evidence Linking the defendant to the crime, which required explanation from him.

    The court added that the evidence of the defendant, being the only other eye witness who had yet to testify before it about the incident, will shed light on what happened that day.

    “The prosecution has established a prima facie case requiring some explanation by the defendant. The court isn’t looking at the credibility of the prosecution witnesses at this stage.

    “The court will not delve Into the substantive case right now. The only real issue now is whether a prima facie case has been made by the prosecution, and not whether it has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.”

    Before the prosecution closed its case on February 15, it had called 11 witnesses made up of eight police officers, some of whom were colleagues of the defendant; two eyewitnesses and a pathologist.

    Delivering ruling, the court noted that some of the witnesses had testified that they saw him shoot the deceased that day and that the defendant’s rifle was short of two ammunition upon his arrest for the shooting.

    While reacting to the ruling, defence counsel, Gbenro Gbadamosi, told the judge that the defence team will review the ruling and decide on whether to Appeal.

    But the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions, Babajide Martins, said an interlocutory appeal of this nature will not stop the continuation of the trial in line with section 273 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Laws of Lagos state, and he applied for a date for further hearing.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the case was adjourned till May 16 for the defendant to open his defence.

    On January 16, 2023, the prosecution arraigned ASP Vandi on a one-count charge of murder.

    The charge stated that he shot and killed the 41-year old pregnant property lawyer by shooting her in the chest, an offence contrary to Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

  • Ekweremadu: Nigerian laws should protect citizens from exploitation – Lawyer

    Ekweremadu: Nigerian laws should protect citizens from exploitation – Lawyer

    A Lagos-based Legal Practitioner, Mr. Jide Ologun, on Friday called for stronger institutions and implementation of  Nigerian laws to protect citizens from all forms of exploitations for a  better nation.

    Ologun, a constitution lawyer, made the call while speaking with NAN in reaction to the  conviction of the  former Nigerian Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu by a UK Court

    Ekweremadu, his wife, and one other, were found guilty of attempted organ harvest on a Nigerian trafficked to Britain to provide a kidney for his ailing daughter.

    A statement from the British  Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed the conviction.

    Ekweremadu (60), his wife Beatrice (56), and Nigerian doctor Mr.Obinna Obeta (51), were convicted by a British court for conspiring to exploit a young man trafficked to London.

    “This is the first verdict of its kind under the Modern Slavery Act,” he said.

    The lawyer told NAN that until Nigerians began to realise there would be consequences for their actions, the society would not be saner.

    He said that Section 15 subsection 5 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended), stipulated that the state shall abolish corrupt practices and abuse of office.

    “A veritable tool for accomplishing that is the enforcement of our law and the rule of law states that nobody is above the law,” he said.

    “When people begin to realise that there are consequences for actions, then it will help us to start fighting corruption and abuse of office in the land,” Ologun said.

    Highlighting some of the lessons Nigeria could draw from the conviction, Ologun said that criminal justice ecosystem rested on three pillars of investigation, diligent prosecution, and committed judiciary.

    He explained that with the Rule of Law given premium space, nobody was  above the law as the conviction of the lawmaker would serve as a bedrock for the mindset of service for office holders.

    “This means, it does matter the office you hold in the land, if you flout the laws of the land, there shall be consequences and that is the example the UK is setting and some other countries of the world.

    “And by extension, even those who have not started constituting nuisance to the society will learn from this and it therefore has a preventive impact on the society.

    “Again we have to use the laws of the land to protect the citizens from exploitations.

    “We can see the young man that the UK laws are seeking vehemently to protect because from the evaluation of the law, that action turned out more to be exploitations, the organ harvest and the laws of the United Kingdom frown at it like some other countries.

    “So, the basic things here is that if we don’t implement our laws, they remain lame but if we implement them, they become effective and that will help us to sanitise our society and put the nation on the path of development.”

    According to him, the fact that Nigeria does not implement its laws does not mean some countries do not implement theirs.

    Ologun said that law implementation was the only way Nigeria could build a strong system that would help in sanitising the society.

    The lawyer added: “We just have to wait for the final verdict on this case.

    “We have followed how the prosecution has gone, it has been thorough, focused on issues, even when the Nigerian influence tried to bring political angle to it, the justice system was not distracted from focusing on issues.

    “Former governor of Delta State could not be processed through Nigerian criminal justice mill, but was arrested in UAE, extradited to the UK, prosecuted and jailed 13 years for specific crimes.

    He said that Nigerians were awaiting the verdict pronouncement which would be given in later date by the UK Court.

  • Raheem Bolanle shot in car given her 2 days earlier – Husband reveals

    Raheem Bolanle shot in car given her 2 days earlier – Husband reveals

    The widower of allegedly slain lawyer, Mrs. Omobolanle Raheem, on Thursday told a Lagos High Court that the lawyer was shot dead in a car given to her two days earlier.

    Gbenga Raheem testified at the trial of ASP Darambi Vandi who allegedly shot and killed the female lawyer on the last Christmas Day.

    Gbenga said that the deceased received the Toyota Venza from a property developer she worked with.

    He was led in evidence by the Attorney-General of Lagos State and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN).

    According to him, he had intimacy with the deceased in the morning of Christmas Day.

    He added that he surprised her and their children with gifts on the fateful day.

    He said that Omobolanle and the children were excited at the gifts and that the entire family members had their breakfasts and went to Church in the new car.

    He narrated that they went to the World Assembly Church, where they got married 10 years ago.

    “After the service, we decided to go to Domino’s Pizza, near Ajah Under Bridge, to get pizza for everyone.

    “On our way back, as I did a U-Turn, I saw police officers ahead. The car in front slowed down, I overtook the car and there was an officer on my left that said I should park.

    “The officer was following me and giving me signals to park.

    “All of a sudden, I heard a sound on my wife. The passenger’s window smashed and I saw blood gushing from her chest.

    “I quickly parked and ran out of the car with my sister-in-law who was sitting behind my wife.

    “My sister-in-law held the officer, he pointed the gun at her, saying he would shoot her,” the witness said.

    The witness narrated how he took his wife to a hospital to save her life but did not succeed.

    After his evidence, Omobolanle’s sister, Mrs. Titilayo Enema, also gave evidence.

    She said that she saw the defendant carrying a gun, and when she heard a gunshot sound, she thought the defendant hit the car’s windscreen.

    “Then I heard my sister say, ‘Gbenga, bullet has entered my chest’.  She repeated it, and immediately her neck dropped, her tongue came out, then her eyes closed.

    “I shouted and ran out of the vehicle. I held the police officer and said, ‘You just shot my sister’. The defendant pointed the gun at me and said he would shoot me.

    “When I held him because of what he did, I was scared, but later, I saw two boys who said I should hold him. I then became bold.

    “I dragged him and said he should sit near my sister who he just shot.

    “I went to Ajiwe Police Station and started shouting that I wanted to see the divisional police officer but they told me he was not around,” she testified.

    During cross-examination, the witness said that she saw the defendant carrying a gun.

    “I know what I saw that day. I know who shot my sister,” she said.

    Justice Ibironke Harrison adjourned the case until Feb.1 for continuation of trial.

  • Slain female lawyer, Bolanle Raheem burial postponed

    Slain female lawyer, Bolanle Raheem burial postponed

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on Monday said it would schedule a special programme to honour a female lawyer, Mrs. Omobolanle Raheem, who was shot dead on the last Christmas Day.

    Raheem was allegedly shot dead by a police officer while she was returning from an outing with her family.

    The alleged murder occurred at Ajah, Lagos State.

    The NBA disclosed this in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Habeeb Lawal, in Lagos.

    Raheem was reportedly shot dead by an assistant superintendent of police attached to the Ajiwe Police Station in Ajah, Lagos.

    The suspect had since been remanded.

    In the statement, the NBA said that new dates for the burial ceremonies of Raheem would be communicated.

    “Contrary to the earlier announcement released by the family of the late Bolanle Raheem with regard to her burial arrangements, new dates will be announced soon.

    “This is as a result of sensitive matters discussed with the family during the visit of the NBA President, Y.C. Maikyau (SAN), who  led a delegation to the family.

    “In addition, the NBA is planning a befitting event for lawyers to pay their last respect to their deceased colleague.

    “This event will be championed by the NBA Lagos Branch and full details will be announced soon,” it said.

  • Just In: Court remands trigger happy ASP who allegedly killed Lagos lawyer

    Just In: Court remands trigger happy ASP who allegedly killed Lagos lawyer

     

    …to remain in custody till January 30

    Nigerian police officer, ASP Drambi Vandi, who allegedly shot and killed a female lawyer, Omobolanle Raheem, on Christmas Day has been ordered to be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre till January 30, 2023.

    This was disclosed by the Lagos State Police Spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin in a Twitter on Friday morning.

    “Drambi Vandi was, this morning, arraigned in court and has been remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre till January 30, 2023, to give room for DPP advice,” he tweeted.

    ASP Drambi Vandi is still in detention!

    Investigation has shown that the other two officers with him had no hand in the shooting incident. They have, therefore, been released.

    Claims that the officer responsible for the shooting has been released is totally false.

    Nigerians have called for justice and transparency in the killing of Mrs Omobolanle Raheem, a Lagos-based lawyer who was shot in the Ajah area of Lagos inside her car while she was returning from an outing on December 25 with her family.

    The Police Service Commission had on Thursday in a statement signed by Ikechukwu Ani, Head of Press and Public Relations, granted approval for the suspension of the officer from duty with immediate effect.

    The commission directed that the final investigation into the matter should be concluded to enable the Commission to take further necessary action.

    Meanwhile, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, on Thursday, had stated that the trigger-happy officer, Vandi, should be charged with a triple homicide, considering that the deceased was reportedly pregnant with a set of twins.

    Sowore said that following confirmation that the deceased was pregnant with twins, the policeman did not only kill the lawyer but also her unborn children.

    The human rights activist decried the increasing impunity displayed by police in the country, saying that ASP Vandi must be brought to justice.

  • Murder of female lawyer: NBA demands more details from police

    Murder of female lawyer: NBA demands more details from police

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on Monday requested the police to come up with more details of the murder of a Lagos-based female lawyer, Mrs Bolanle Raheem.

    Raheem was allegedly shot dead on Christmas Day by a police officer attached to the Ajiwe Police Station in Ajah, Lagos State.

    She was said to be returning home with other members of her family when the alleged murder occured.

    In a statement in Lagos on Monday,  the NBA demanded more information from the police on the alleged murder.

    In the statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Habeeb Lawal, NBA said that the alleged murder was deplorable.

    “‘The Nigerian Bar Association deplores the cold-blooded murder of our member, Mrs Omobolanle Raheem, by an officer of the Nigerian Police Force attached to Ajiwe Police Station in Ajah, Lagos State.

    “The NBA President, Mr Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau (SAN),  upon receiving the sad news, made efforts to get across to the husband of our deceased member who understandably has been unavailable to answer calls.

    “Since this terrible incident, the NBA has taken  initiatives to uncover the facts surrounding the murder of our member.

    “In this regard, the NBA is able to report that the Lagos State Police Command has confirmed that the suspected murderer of our member is one ASP Drambi Vandi,  who has been in the police service for 33 years.

    “While the NBA acknowledges the sympathy and regret of the police authorities over this incident, the NBA president has demanded that the police officially disclose and immediately release fuller details of the errant officer and other officers responsible for this heinous act,” it said.

    The NBA said it had informed the police of its resolve to be a complainant in the case along with Raheem’s family.

    It added that it had constituted a team with a mandate to follow up and ensure a speedy but thorough investigation of the alleged  crime.

    According to the NBA, the team includes its national officers, chairman and vice chairperson of NBA, Lagos Branch, and chairman of NBA, Ikeja Branch.

    “The NBA is disturbed that the Nigerian police seems to be back to the dark days of police brutality, and admonishes that the lessons from the #EndSARS Protest should not be lost on any individual or authority.

    “The NBA president prays for the repose of the soul of Mrs Omobolanle Raheem, and urges  members and concerned Nigerians to be calm as we ensure the law takes its course,” it said.

  • IGP condemns killing of lawyer by policeman in Lagos, orders probe

    IGP condemns killing of lawyer by policeman in Lagos, orders probe

     

    A lawyer, Mrs Omobolanle Raheem, was killed on Christmas Day by men of the Nigerian Police, Ajah Division.

    She was murdered on her way from Church in Ajah, Lagos. Bolanle was shot pointblank beside her husband.

    The Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Usman Alkali Baba, has condemned the shooting and killing of Mrs Omobolanle Raheem, a lawyer.

    She was allegedly shot and killed by a Policeman attached to Ajiwe Police Station, Ajah, Lagos State.

    A statement by Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the IGP described the incident as unfortunate and sad.

    He said the IGP had ordered speedy investigation and prosecution of the officers responsible for the ugly and unprofessional act, “which doesn’t portray the Nigeria Police Standard Operating Procedure and core values.”

    “In the same vein, the IGP commiserates with the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased as he prays for the repose of her soul.

    “He further assures the general public of justice in the case while he warns officers and men of the Force to be professional and people-oriented in the discharge of their duties and operate within the ambit of the law, as the Force’s leadership will not condone any inappropriate or unprofessional acts,” Adejobi said in the statement.