Sanwo-Olu’s vow came as condemnation continued to trail the killing of the seven-month-old expectant mother.
By Emma Ogbuehi
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has vowed that the police officer who killed a lawyer, Bolanle Raheem, will not go unpunished.
Mrs. Raheem, a property lawyer, was allegedly shot in the chest at close range by the officer who was on stop and search operation at Ajiwe, Ajah.
Meanwhile, coming on the heels of the Sanwo-Olu vow, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has demanded justice for Mrs. Raheem, who was shot and killed in cold-blood by a policeman on Christmas day.
Sanwo-Olu’s vow came as condemnation continued to trail the killing of the seven-month-old expectant mother.
TheNiche had earlier reported that the lawyer who was on her way back from church on Christmas Day at the Ajah area of Lagos was pregnant.
Condoling the family, friends and associates of the bereaved on Monday, Sanwo-Olu expressed “shock and sadness over the mindless shooting of a citizen by a police officer whose primary job was to protect the same citizen.”
Sanwo-Olu said: “I am, therefore, assuring every one of the state government’s full support and cooperation with the police authorities in their investigation to unravel the remote and immediate cause of the shooting that led to Bolanle’s untimely death, with a view to ensuring that justice is served.
“I have studied preliminary reports on the matter and have instructed the appropriate government officers to immediately get on it.
“We must ensure a speedy justice for the late Bolanle.
“Our government cannot sit back and watch our citizens killed by the same law enforcers that should ordinarily protect them.”
READ ALSO: Police officer arrested for shooting female lawyer, Bolanle Raheem, dead in Lagos
The governor said he was aware that the Lagos State police command has detained the police officers involved in the shooting incident.
He assured residents that the accused persons will have their day in court and nothing will be spared under the Laws of Lagos State until justice is served adequately.
“We will ensure that it is done speedily because justice delayed is justice denied,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu appealed to residents to remain calm and not take the law into their hands on the matter.
He vowed that the government will live up to its responsibilities and get justice for the late Mrs. Raheem.
Also on Monday, representatives of the NBA in Lagos met with the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Ajiwe.
Lagos NBA Chairman, Ikechukwu Uwanna, who said he got a call around 5pm on Sunday about the incident, said they would ensure justice was neither delayed nor denied.
Uwanna said: “Sadly, the news has since been confirmed to be true and the remains of our slain colleague deposited at the mortuary.
“The police authorities have confirmed that the police officer who shot and killed our colleague has been arrested and is currently being detained.
“I have been in touch with Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, and the Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, who have been very sympathetic and have assured us that the investigation and prosecution of the killer will be swift.
“The NBA President, Mr. Y. C. Maikyau (SAN), and his exco have also been monitoring the situation to ensure that the matter is given all the serious attention it deserves.
“Members of our NBA Lagos Branch Human Rights Committee have met with the DPO of Ajiwe Police Station, and will meet with the Commissioner of Police later today (Monday) to emphasise our mandate of ensuring that justice is neither delayed nor denied.
“The committee members have also proceeded to visit the family of our slain member as at the time of releasing this statement.
“We will provide updates as the matter develops.”