Bolanle Raheem: Right activist decries ‘unprecedented’ rights abuses under APC

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Following the gruesome murder of Lagos lawyer, Omobolanle Raheem, by a policeman on Christmas day, Human Rights activist, Barr. Chukwudi Ezeobika, has decried what he called unprecedented level of human rights abuses under the current administration, saying it is disturbing and deeply concerning.

The rights activist also described the ‘gruesome’ murder of Lagos lawyer, Barr. Bolanle Raheem,  by an officer of the Nigeria Police Force as an unlawful and reprehensible act that is worthy of condemnation.

Barr. Ezeobika, who is a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, noted that the incident brings to bare the number of undocumented actions by Officers and Men of the Nigeria Police Force which, due to their reckless, irresponsible and unprofessional conduct led to deaths of innocent Nigerian citizens.

The former National Chairman of United Patriots party, UP, maintained that this action by the Nigerian Police remains incomprehensible in this 21st century and shows to a greater extent, the rot and systemic human rights” abuses being carried out under the Buhari led – APC  government against innocent Nigerian citizens. 

He stressed that the level of extrajudicial killings and  human rights abuses under the current administration  is unprecedented and deeply concerning.

Recall that an officer of the Nigeria Police Force reportedly shot and killed a lawyer, Mrs. Omobolanle Raheem, at the Ajiwe area of Ajah, Lagos State, on Christmas Day.

Mrs Raheem, who was a member of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, was shot at close range by an officer identified as Drambi Vandi, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP.

She was said to be coming from an eatery with some family members on Christmas Day and had tried to make a U-turn under the Ajah Bridge when the cop shot at her vehicle. The 41-year-old woman was rushed to a hospital, where she was confirmed dead.

Report has it that the woman, who had a child, was seven-month pregnant when tragedy struck.

Officer Vandi, who is now in detention for further investigation, was attached to the Ajiwe Police Station, Ajah, Lagos State and have spent 33 years in the police force.

Barr Ezeobika, who is a former Senatorial Candidate of UP in Anambra South said: “ I condemn in the strongest terms possible, this dastardly act and unprofessional conduct by the Nigerian Police and call for a prompt and immediate arraignment and prosecution of the Police Officer(s) involved.”

The human rights activist called for compulsory mental and psychological evaluation of Police officers, stressing that this is long overdue.

Meanwhile, Nigerians have demanded the removal of the DPO of Ajiwe Police Station, saying extra-judicial killings are becoming rampant in the division.

Recall that on December 7, 2022, one Gafaru Buraimoh was shot dead by a policeman attached to the division.