Olusegun Olanrewaju
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday said there would be no cover-up in the investigation and prosecution of the culprit(s) involved in the murder of the late lawyer, Bolanle Raheem, who was killed on Christmas Day by a police officer.
His position came yesterday as he met with the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, at the Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja, to discuss, amongst other things, possible avenues to achieve speedy justice for the victims of the recent shooting incidents in the state.
Sanwo-Olu said the outcome of investigations of the case is very important to the government and people of Lagos State, stressing that the people deserve to know the process leading to justice for the victim.
He said, “We have come here this morning, first to extend season’s greetings to the Inspector-General of Police, and also to get an update; and to brief him as to the security situation of Lagos State, especially the very recent unfortunate incident of the death of a lady, Mrs. Omotola Raheem, by a bullet of a police officer and also an earlier incident that occurred weeks before then.
Army rescues kidnapped female officer in Enugu
“We need to get a sense of security architecture in the state and what we need to do. First is to condemn the very unfortunate incident, to express the grief of the government and the people of Lagos State, and to say how very unfortunate at this period in our time to have incidents like this.
“But beyond that is really how do we ensure that incidents, like these, are reduced to the barest minimum and what can government do that we are not currently doing that we can do to help the Nigerian Police, the Lagos State Police Command and how do we ensure that we have better collaboration because we did not have any other police force.”
The governor added, “For me as the governor of the state, I think it is important, and it is that serious for us to come here and get a sense of how soon we can get to charge this officer to court. And we have gotten a very positive response and engagement from the Inspector General of Police himself.”
Speaking further on the importance of his meeting, Sanwo-Olu said his government would continually work with the Nigeria Police in providing additional equipment like body cameras and a joint advocacy programme to enhance and improve public and police communication.
Responding, the IGP while extending his heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased, reassured that the cases would be meticulously pursued until deserved justice is served.
He stressed that the Force is working with the Attorney-General of Lagos State to ensure that the offenders are diligently prosecuted in the courts of competent jurisdiction to serve as a deterrence to others.
Sanwo-Olu promised to support the police in making sure that justice is served in the extant case and to collaborate with the police on advocacy programmes to educate the citizenry on understanding and respecting the laws of the land for an improved relationship with the police.
