Justice Ibironke Harrison of a Lagos High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) on Lagos island, was on Thursday told how Lagos lawyer, Mrs Omobolanle Raheem was shot dead in a car given to her two days before.
Mr Gbenga Raheem, the husband of Omobolanle, who was murdered on Christmas Day in 2022 at a police checkpoint in the Ajah area of Lagos by ASP Darambi Vandi, gave an emotional and sizzling account of how she was shot dead in the car — Toyota Venza he drove.
Persecondnews reports that Raheem spoke while testifying in the ongoing trial of ASP Drambi Vandi, whom Police have arrested and arraigned for shooting and killing Omobolanle, who was believed to be pregnant.
Raheem, who was led in evidence by the Attorney-General of Lagos State and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo, told the court that his late wife received the car from a property developer she worked with.
Gbenga recalled amid high emotions how he had the last intimacy with his wife in the morning of Christmas Day and also surprised her and their children with gifts.
He said Omobolanle and the children were excited at the gifts and that the entire family members had their breakfasts and went to World Assembly Church, where they got married 10 years ago in the new car.
“After the service, we decided to go to Domino’s Pizza, near Ajah Under Bridge, to get pizza for everyone.
“On our way back, as I did a U-Turn, I saw police officers ahead. The car in front slowed down, I overtook the car and there was an officer on my left that said I should park.
“The officer was following me and giving me signals to park. All of a sudden, I heard a sound from my wife. The passenger’s window smashed and I saw blood gushing from her chest.
“I quickly parked and ran out of the car with my sister-in-law who was sitting behind my wife.
“My sister-in-law held the officer, he pointed the gun at her, saying he would shoot her,” the witness said.
The witness narrated how he took his wife to a hospital to save her life but did not succeed.
After his evidence, Omobolanle’s sister, Mrs Titilayo Enema, also gave evidence.
She said that she saw the defendant carrying a gun, and when she heard a gunshot sound, she thought the defendant hit the car’s windscreen.
“Then I heard my sister say, ‘Gbenga, a bullet has entered my chest’. She repeated it, and immediately her neck dropped, her tongue came out, then her eyes closed.
“I shouted and ran out of the vehicle. I held the police officer and said, ‘You just shot my sister’. The defendant pointed the gun at me and said he would shoot me.
“When I held him because of what he did, I was scared, but later, I saw two boys who said I should hold him. I then became bold. I dragged him and said he should sit near my sister who he just shot.
“I went to Ajiwe Police Station and started shouting that I wanted to see the divisional police officer but they told me he was not around,” she testified.
During cross-examination, the witness said that she saw the defendant (the ASP) carrying a gun, adding “I know what I saw that day. I know who shot my sister.”
The case has been adjourned until Feb.1 for the continuation of trial.
