Raheem: Parties to adopt final written addresses, July 13 – Ask Bolajilegal & Associates

A Lagos state High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square on Wednesday adjourned till July 13 for the adoption of final written addresses by prosecution and defence counsel in the ongoing trial of an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Drambi Vandi, who allegedly killed a Lagos-based lawyer, Omobolanle Raheem, on December 25, 2022.

Justice Ibironke Harrison fixed the date after the defendant closed his case.

She ordered both parties to file their final written addresses within 21 days.

At the resumed hearing of the case on Wednesday, the defendant’s counsel, Jude Ugwu, announced to the court that the defendant was the only witness they have.

He, however, prayed the court to give them 21 days to file and adopt their written addresses.

Earlier, Vandi in his testimony had told the court that he never came across the bullet that was requested by his counsel and it was not the same ammunition as the one that was originally in his rifle on December 25, 2023.

When the exhibit, the bullet (P11a) and a magazine containing six bullets (P19), was requested by Ugwu, the witness (Vandi), explained to the court that a portion of P19 is the shell of an assorted rifle and it is used in AK-47 rifle and the exhibit is a long-range bullet.

“I have never come across this exhibit before even all through my training and it is not the type of ammunition used by the police,” he claimed.

He stated that he 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, when I was disarmed, the ammunition was not counted in my presence at Budo Hospital,” he added.

During cross-examination by the Director of Public Prosecution, Dr Babajide Martins, the witness said on December 25, 2022, he was on duty at Ajah under bridge and he was with a rifle that had 25 rounds of ammunition which he booked from the armourer and signed for it.

Justice Harrison directed the counsel to exchange their written addresses and be ready for adoption in 21 days.

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