Bolanle Raheem: Mixed Reactions Trail Suspension Of ASP Who Killed Lagos Lawyer

Some Nigerians have expressed displeasure over the suspension of Assistant Superintendent of Police, Drambi Vandi over the killing of Lagos lawyer, Omobolanle Raheem.

Naija News earlier reported that the decision of the IGP was communicated in a statement on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.

The IGP noted that the suspension is to “create an enabling environment for necessary legal procedures to uphold justice in the case without interference.”

The officer would be on suspension while the internal disciplinary process of the Police Force continues.

IGP Baba appeals to members of the public to remain calm and exercise patience while the investigations continue, assuring that justice would take its full course.

Amidst the appeal of the IGP, some Nigerians opined that the ASP ought to have been dismissed instead of the suspension.

Others also maintained that suspension is the first step of discipline while some expressed fear that the Police force might reinstate him and transfer him to another location.

@gemini_un1 wrote: “The IGP cannot dismiss a senior officer like an ASP. The only authority that has that power is the Police Service Commission. The highest the IGP can do is to suspend the officer. If it was a junior officer, the IGP would summarily dismiss him”

@OtoEbe wrote: “Suspended? Not fired and arrested for prosecution. To say the system is rotten is a mild understatement.”

@onichaboy wrote: “Some that should not still a police officer now. They are not ready to stop the killings. This is spitting on the face of everybody.”

@Gbemilekhe wrote: “finally fires ASP Drambi Vandi, and then allow the court to sentence him to death by either hanging or firing squad.”

GoldSere wrote: “From an internal process and HR point of view sometimes a “suspension without pay” is the immediate decision for such a case while investigations are on going. A full dismissal could be the final decision but first suspension without pay. But then I don’t know how the NPF runs.”

@Toniichris wrote: “An animal that should be brought to the street and stoned to death”

@ohenkay wrote: “They want Nigerians to forget then reinstate him the same way Danjuma who led the killing of Apo 6 in 2005 was reinstated into the police force and he is now an AIG.
Don’t forget Abna Kyari remains suspended not socked. The rotten in the police force is beyond redemption.”

@nwafadagain wrote: “The police in Nigeria are protected so much from scrutiny in matters like this….
After the uproar it will follow the protective route within the service and will be eased out public space until another one happens and the cycle continues”

@Sesughaor wrote: “All over the world, that’s the first step. You can’t summarily dismiss a senior police officer without proper investigation. That just gives room for police to go to court and make all kinds of claims. This knee jerk reaction is why lots of cases in Nigeria get thrown out.”

@f_abubakre wrote: “Even in other ‘climes’ a suspension is the first line of action. The 🇳🇬 Police is an institution with set rules. Let’s endeavour to move beyond the surface.”