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Bolanle Raheem Murder-Police Officer Accused of Killing Lagos-based Lawyer on Christmas Day Claims the Bullet Did Not Come from His Rifle
Bolanle Raheem Murder-Police Officer Accused of Killing Lagos-based Lawyer on Christmas Day Claims the Bullet Did Not Come from His Rifle
Justice Ibironke Harrison of the Lagos High Court, presiding at the Tafawa Balewa Square on Lagos Island, has directed the lawyers involved in the trial of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Drambi Vandi, who is charged with the killing of Lagos-based lawyer Mrs Bolanle Raheem on December 25, 2022, to submit their written addresses.
This order was issued during the latest hearing of the case on Wednesday, May 31, after the accused police officer concluded his defence before the court.
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During his testimony before Justice Harrison, Vandi asserted that the bullet presented in court, which was alleged to have caused Bolanle Raheem’s death, did not originate from the rifle he carried on December 25, 2022.
He further claimed that he had never come across the bullet until it was presented as evidence in court.
Additionally, Vandi discussed the training provided to police officers regarding the use of firearms and ammunition.
He explained that he had received training at a local school, where he was educated on various types of rifles, pistols, and ammunition used by police officers.
Vandi stated that he was trained in assembling and dismantling firearms and ammunition. Moreover, he informed the court that police officers stationed at barracks undergo comprehensive training on rifle handling every five months to refresh their knowledge. He also provided an explanation to the court about the functioning of AK-47 bullets.
“The magazine Exhibit P19), containing six bullets is the shell of an assorted rifle and it is used in an Ak-47, while the bullet (Exhibit P11a) is a long-range bullet. This one covers over 500 metres. If you line up 10 people, this bullet will go through all of them. When it is shot at a close range, it can’t remain inside the person’s body and also any object at close range, it must penetrate through it. It must pass through at least four objects, and this is not the ammunition in my rifle on the 25th of December, 2023.
The rifle is automatic. By using this bullet, you must cork the rifle and anyone around that area will hear the noise of the cork. Once it is fired, the shell will fall on the right side on the ground near the person that fired it and it will remain at the point of fire. The noise will be so loud when fired. I’ve never come across this exhibit before even all through my training and it’s not the type of of ammunition used by the police,” he said.
Speaking further, Vandi said;
‘’I was disarmed by the DPO at Budo hospital. I booked 25 rounds from the armourer which I signed for. The same ammunition was inside the magazine, same ammunition was disarmed. When I was disarmed, the ammunition was not counted in my presence at Budo hospital.”
During the cross-examination conducted by the Director of Public Prosecution, Dr. Babajide Martins, Vandi provided testimony regarding the occurrences of the previous Christmas season.
“On 25th of December 2022, I was on duty at Ajah Underbridge, and I was with a rifle that had 25 rounds of ammunition which I booked from the armourer and signed for. I resumed duty in the morning, but I don’t know the time. I was with Inspector Ameh and Inspector Ibimene. I was not the only one armed, Ibimene was also armed but I was the last man on guard. I stood about 100 metres away from where the affected vehicle was parked. I went to the hospital with the driver, the deceased in the vehicle involved but not all of us were in the vehicle.
Titilayo (the sister of the deceased) was not in the vehicle. I was half dressed, wearing a mufti when I was arrested at Budo Hospital and I was taken to the police station where I wrote my statement. All of us were detained and we wrote our statements at Ajah and Panti. None of us was released before we were transferred to Panti. I wish the deceased is alive and I regret her death. May her soul rest in peace,” he concluded.
Upon carefully considering the presented testimony, Justice Harrison instructed the lawyers involved in the case to prepare and submit their written addresses to one another within the next 21 days. The judge further scheduled the adoption of these written addresses for the 13th of July, 2023, marking the date for the final phase of the proceedings in the case.
President Tinubu honoured 50 Nigerians on Democracy Day 2026, including Dasuki, Joe Igbokwe and Dele Alake. See the full list and what it means.
On 12 June 2026, President Bola Tinubu conferred national honours on 50 Nigerians described as key figures in the country’s pro-democracy struggle.
The announcement was made during the 2026 Democracy Day address, which commemorates the annulled 12 June 1993 presidential election. Honourees include journalists, civil rights activists, and military officers.
President Bola Tinubu conferred national honours on 50 prominent Nigerians on Friday, 12 June 2026. The honourees were recognised as central participants in the nation’s pro-democracy movement, a campaign that opposed military dictatorship throughout the 1990s.
The announcement formed part of the president’s nationwide 2026 Democracy Day address. Democracy Day marks the anniversary of the 12 June 1993 presidential election, a poll widely regarded as the freest in Nigerian history before its annulment by the military government of the period.
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This article outlines the context of the awards, identifies the categories of honourees, names notable recipients such as Sambo Dasuki, Joe Igbokwe, and Oladele Alake, and explains the next steps in the conferment process.
Why did Tinubu confer the national honours on 12 June 2026?
The conferment is tied directly to Democracy Day, an annual observance commemorating the 12 June 1993 presidential election. President Tinubu used the occasion to recognise individuals identified as central figures in Nigeria’s transition from military rule to civilian democracy.
In his address, the president stated that the honourees suffered persecution in the course of the pro-democracy struggle. He noted that many endured indignities, exile, incarceration, and, at times, solitary confinement so that Nigeria could enjoy democratic governance today.
The recognition therefore functions as both a historical acknowledgement and a formal state honour, linking the sacrifices of the 1990s to the present democratic order.
Who are the notable recipients of the national honours?
The honours list comprises several categories of recipients, including journalists, civil rights leaders, legal practitioners, and senior military officers. Among the most widely recognised names are the following:
- Oladele Alake, a long-standing public figure in Nigerian governance and media.
- Joe Igbokwe, a prominent political activist and commentator.
- Colonel Sambo Dasuki, a senior military officer included in the soldier-democrats category.
- Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, a recognised civil rights campaigner.
- Dr Arthur Nwankwo (posthumous), honoured for his role in the democratic struggle.
- Ben Charles-Obi (posthumous), recognised among the journalists and activists.
The inclusion of posthumous awards reflects the state’s intention to acknowledge contributors who did not survive to witness the present democratic dispensation.
What categories of honourees were recognised?
The honours list is organised into two broad groupings. The first comprises journalists, lawyers, academics, and civil rights leaders. The second comprises military officers designated as “soldier-democrats”.
Journalists, lawyers, and civil rights leaders
This grouping recognises individuals who advanced the pro-democracy cause through media, advocacy, and legal channels. Named recipients include:
- Barrister Ayoka Lawani
- Tunde Fagbenle
- Oladele Alake
- Olatunji Bello
- Louis Odion
- Segun Babatope
- Sam Omatseye
- Sir Ademola Osinubi
- Bola Bolawole
- Lade Bonuola
- Femi Kusa
- Debo Adeniran
- Chief Ayo Opadokun
- Chief Ralph Obiora
- Ose Osayande
- Barrister Osa Director
- Professor Sylvester Odion-Akhaine
- Dr Arthur Nwankwo (posthumous)
- Dr Osagie Obayuwana
- Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin
- Barrister Titus Mann
- Joe Igbokwe
- Richard Akinnola
- Ben Charles-Obi (posthumous)
- George Mbah
- Dr Niran Malaolu
- Major-General Ishola Williams (retired)
- Femi Aborisade
- Jenkins Alumona
- Gbemiga Ogunleye
- Muyiwa Adekeye
- Babajide Kolade-Otitoju
- Ike Okonta
Soldier-democrats
This grouping recognises military officers associated with resistance to military dictatorship. Named recipients include:
- Major-General M. A. Garba
- Brigadier-General Lawal Jaafaru Isa
- Colonel Umar Farouk Ahmed
- Colonel Sambo Dasuki
- Colonel Lawan Gwadabe
- Brigadier Jonathan Ndam Temlong
- Colonel Musa Shehu
- Major-General Chris Eze
- Major-General Harris Dzarma
- Colonel Isa Jibrin
- Major-General Joseph Oshanupin
- Colonel Olusegun Oloruntoba, Olugbede of Gbede Kingdom
- Lieutenant-Colonel Happy Kefas Bulus
- Colonel J. Okai
- Colonel Emmanuel Ndubueze
- Lieutenant-Colonel Yakubu Muazu
- Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar, the current Etsu Nupe and existing holder of the CFR title
When will the awards be formally presented?
The president stated that the formal presentation and conferment of the awards will be carried out in the coming days. According to the address, the full honours list will be released within the next few days.
The announcement therefore represents the declaration stage of the process rather than the formal investiture, which is scheduled to follow.
What does this conferment signify for Nigeria?
The 2026 Democracy Day honours connect the historical pro-democracy struggle to contemporary national recognition. By including journalists, activists, lawyers, and military officers, the awards acknowledge a broad spectrum of contributors to Nigeria’s civilian transition.
The presence of posthumous awards further underlines the state’s intention to honour participants across generations, including those who did not live to see the present democratic order.
Frequently asked questions
How many Nigerians received national honours on Democracy Day 2026?
President Bola Tinubu conferred national honours on 50 Nigerians during the 2026 Democracy Day address on 12 June 2026.
Why is 12 June significant in Nigeria?
12 June marks the anniversary of the 1993 presidential election, which was annulled by the military government of the time. The date is now observed as Nigeria’s Democracy Day.
Who are the most notable recipients of the 2026 national honours?
Notable recipients include Oladele Alake, Joe Igbokwe, Colonel Sambo Dasuki, and Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, alongside posthumous honourees such as Dr Arthur Nwankwo and Ben Charles-Obi.
Were any awards conferred posthumously?
Yes. Posthumous honours were conferred on Dr Arthur Nwankwo and Ben Charles-Obi in recognition of their contributions to the pro-democracy struggle.
When will the national honours be formally presented?
President Tinubu stated that the formal presentation and conferment will take place in the coming days, with the full honours list to be released shortly after the announcement.
A short-statured Ghanaian woman has sparked online debate after making contentious remarks regarding her romantic relationship preferences.
During a recent interview with De God Son TV, the diminutive lady expressed her aversion to dating guys of shorter height despite her diminutive Ghanaian woman. She remarked that short men do not match her “specifications” for relationships.
When questioned about her explanation, she stated that she sees shorter men as resembling infants, even though they are adults.
“I have a 7-year-old son, so dating a short man feels like dating my son,” she explained, finding parallels between her personal and romantic lives.
Watch the video below.
Once again, Nigerian singer Davido has made headlines for proving his status as a rich man with two luxury cars entering Nigeria: a Rolls-Royce and a Tesla Cybertruck.
The musician posted a picture of the trip on social media, his pure white Rolls Royce parked on the runway, ready for shipment.
Another photo depicted the Tesla Cybertruck being loaded into an aircraft to verify the truck’s arrival in Nigeria.
Cubana Chief Priest, another close associate and entrepreneur, also saluted the new cars with an Instagram image. He congratulated Davido on his feats, dubbed him the “GOAT,” and hinted at a festive December with new vehicles added to the singer’s collection.
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