Following the gruesome murder of Lagos lawyer, Omobolanle Raheem, by a policeman on Christmas day, Human Rights activist, Barr. Chukwudi Ezeobika, has called for immediate and compulsory mental and physical evaluation of police officers in the country.
The rights activist described the ‘gruesome’ murder of Lagos lawyer, as an unlawful and reprehensible act that is worthy of condemnation.
Speaking with newsmen Tuesday in Abuja, Barr. Ezeobika, who is a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, said the incident brings to bare the number of undocumented actions by Officers and Men of the Nigeria Police Force which, due to their reckless, irresponsible and unprofessional conduct led to deaths of innocent Nigerian citizens.
The former national chairman of United Patriots Party (UP), said the action by the Nigerian Police remains incomprehensible in 21st century and shows to a greater extent, the rot and systemic human rights’ abuses being carried out under the APC-led government against innocent Nigerian citizens.
He said the level of extrajudicial killings and human rights abuses under the current administration is unprecedented and deeply concerning.
Mrs Raheem, who was a member of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, was shot at close range by an officer identified as Drambi Vandi, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP.
She was said to be coming from an eatery with some family members on Christmas Day and had tried to make a U-turn under the Ajah Bridge when the cop shot at her vehicle.
The 41-year-old woman was rushed to a hospital, where she was confirmed dead.
Report has it that the woman, who had a child, was seven-month pregnant when tragedy struck.
Officer Vandi, who is now in detention for further investigation, was attached to the Ajiwe Police Station, Ajah, Lagos State and have spent 33 years in the police force.
Barr. Ezeobika, who is a former Senatorial candidate of UP in Anambra South said: “I condemn in the strongest terms possible, this dastardly act and unprofessional conduct by the Nigerian Police and call for a prompt and immediate arraignment and prosecution of the Police Officer(s) involved.”
The human rights activist called for compulsory mental and psychological evaluation of Police officers, stressing that this is long overdue.
