condolence register… yesterday

• Sanwo-Olu’s delegation visits family • LERSA asks police to stop killing innocent Nigerians • My wife was four months pregnant with twins, says husband

It was a hard moment for Gbenga Raheem, husband of Omobolanle Raheem, the female lawyer who was shot dead by an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Drambi Vandi, as he revealed that his wife was killed along with a four-month pregnancy. Raheem revealed this while hosting sympathisers, who visited his house to console him in the Ajah area of Lagos State. It was learnt that the 41-year-old woman who had a child, was four-month pregnant with twins when tragedy struck. A source also told The Guardian that the pregnancy came after about seven years of waiting. Recall that Gbenga was coming with family members on Christmas Day and had tried to make a U-turn under the Ajah Bridge, when the police officer shot at their vehicle, killing his wife. The woman was rushed to a hospital, where she was confirmed dead. Narrating his ordeal during a visit by a delegation of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch, Mr. Raheem stated that they were expecting twins, as his wife was four-month pregnant. MEANWHILE,

Lekki Estates Residents and Stakeholders Association (LERSA), the umbrella association of Estates and residents in the Lekki- Epe corridor of Lagos State, has called for immediate action to stop the killing of its members and other Nigerians by policemen LERSA, in a statement by its President, Olorogun James Emadoye, described the killing of Mrs. Raheem by a policeman as “distressing” and “one of too many incidents within a very short period”. Emadoye recalled that just a few weeks ago, there was a protest against the killing of a promising young man in the Sangotedo area that almost went out of control. According to the LERSA president, the association does not think that protests would produce required results and has, therefore, started engaging with the relevant authorities to find a lasting solution to what has become a major threat to the communities in the corridor and the whole country. “I, in company of some of our executives, had a meeting the same morning of the incident with the Area J Police Commander. I can assure you that the authorities themselves are disturbed over this. A harmless pregnant mother with four children in a vehicle killed for nothing. We must strategize and see how to do other things that will stop this sort of incidence. “One of the measures that LERSA is strongly proposing is the involvement of the community in helping to check the mental health of weapons-bearing security officers. “The association will establish immediate contact with the Lagos State Commissioner of Police on this challenge. Our thoughts go to the husband and children of the deceased this season. May God comfort them and grant them the fortitude to carry on,” Emadoye said. He added that LERSA will ensure that justice is obtained for the family of the deceased and see that her death brings an end to such waste of human lives in the country. “We are happy that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Commissioner of Police are already involved and we are pleading that action does not only end with the prosecution of the murderers of Mrs. Raheem and possible compensation for her family, but also includes clear, measurable and sustainable actions and measures that will bring an end to sad occurrences like this. This is the only way the community can hope to eventually recover from this black Christmas,” he concluded.

ALSO, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA Nigeria) Epe Branch, Lagos State, has lamented the extrajudicial killing of Raheem on Christmas day at Ajah, Lagos State. According to the group “a death that could never have been! An avoidable incident! Our hearts bleed at the life wasted; trauma inflicted upon the family and the grief it has generated.” The Epe Branch Chairperson, Ifeyinwa Awagu, commended efforts of the police force, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Branch and the Eti-Osa Lawyers Forum for swinging to action and called for unrelenting moves to expedite investigation and prosecution.

“FIDA Nigeria, in her mandate to protect and promote the rights of women, children and the vulnerable advocates justice for the victims of such extrajudicial killings.

“We commiserate with Omobolanle’s husband, children and family at the heart breaking demise; and pray for healing and justice. May God grant her soul eternal rest,” the group added.

ALSO, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has reinforced his stance on justice for the family of Bolanle Raheem, who was shot dead by a policeman on Christmas Day.

The governor disclosed this when he sent a delegation to console the family at their home in Ajah.

“We have the permission of Mr. Governor to tell you that justice will be done in this matter. The matter will be charged to court as soon as the police send us the case file. I will be leading the prosecution to show the seriousness the government attaches to this matter,” Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Moyo Onigbanjo SAN said.

Special Adviser Tubosun Alake said Mr Governor urged the family to take heart. He prayed that The Almighty would console the family.

The husband of the late Bolanle, Mr Gbenga Raheem, thanked Mr Sanwo-Olu for his empathy. Also in the delegation were Head of Service, Muri Okunola, who signed the condolence register on behalf of the government, Women and Poverty Alleviation Commissioner, Mrs. Bolaji Dada and the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso.