The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has demanded N5 billion compensation for the family of slain Lagos lawyer Omobolanle Raheem.
The lawyer was killed on Christmas day by an irate policeman, and according to her family was pregnant with twins at the time she was murdered in cold blood.
The Inspector General of Police, Baba Usman has suspended the policeman who killed her, Drambi Van did an Assistant Superintendent of police, DSP who is currently under probe.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos state has also demanded a thorough probe of the matter, even as many Nigerians said incessant killing of Nigerians by policemen must stop.
Ebun – Olu Adegboruwa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, said he the NBA president has directed the Lagos branch of the Association to be part of the prosecution team with the Lagos State government.
The association will demand N5 billion as compensation for the deceased family, the human rights lawyer and activist said.
According to him, “The NBA Lagos in conjunction with the NBA President, Mr. Y.C. Mikyau, SAN, has decided to be part of the prosecution of the policeman as part of its efforts towards securing quick and effective justice for the family of the deceased.
“In this regard, the NBA will be partnering with the Ministry of Justice during the trial.
“Mr. Adegboruwa has in turn obtained relevant briefing from the Hon. Attorney-General of Lagos State and has secured the assurances of an accelerated prosecution once the case file is received from the police.”
“The NBA is also seeking monetary compensation for the family of Mrs. Raheem from the government of Lagos State, the Federal Government, and indeed the Nigeria Police Force and the Police Service Commission, through its Human Rights Committee.
The NBA will seek for payment of damages not less than five billion naira in addition to the prosecution of the killer cop.”
In October 2020, an anti – police brutality protest also known as EndSARS rocked the country after some policemen killed a man in Delta state. Following the nationwide protest the federal government disbanded the notorious Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS, as part of its efforts to restructure the Nigerian Police Force, NPF, but critics of the Force say Nigerians are still being killed daily by policemen.
