Justice Ibironke Harrison of a Lagos High Court has handed down a death sentence by hanging to a police officer, Drambi Vandi. The officer was found guilty of fatally shooting a Lagos-based lawyer, Omobolanle Raheem, on Christmas Day in 2022. This ruling is expected to spark a heated debate on the use of the death penalty in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country.
Nigeria currently has over 3,000 individuals on death row, as reported by Amnesty International. However, executions are rare, leading to calls from various human rights groups to abolish the death penalty.
The case began in January when police officer Drambi Vandi was put on trial for the murder of Bolanle Raheem, who was pregnant with twins at the time of her tragic death. Vandi consistently denied the charges, contending that the presented bullet, considered evidence in court, did not originate from his firearm.
Judge Ibironke Harrison delivered the verdict, finding the defendant guilty of one count of murder, stating, “You will be hanged by the neck until you are dead.” It’s worth noting that Vandi has the option to appeal the sentence, and the approval of the death sentence also rests with the Lagos state governor.
For years, rights groups have accused Nigerian police and other law enforcement agencies of various offenses, including murder, extortion, torture, and harassment, allegations that authorities vehemently deny. Notably, incidents involving the use of lethal force by security forces have been a contentious issue, with conflicting accounts from both sides.
In this particular case, the swift judgment has raised questions about police conduct and firearm control. It leaves us with the important question: Do you, dear reader, believe this verdict was just?
