The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has stressed that there will be no cover-up in investigation, prosecution of the culprit(s) involved in the murder of late Mrs. Bolanle Raheem, a lawyer who was killed on Christmas Day by a police officer.
Sanwo-Olu who disclosed while paid a visit to the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba Alkali at the Police headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, said the outcome of the investigations is very important to the Government, and the people of Lagos State.
According to the him, “We need to get a sense of how soon the erring officer will be charged to court. Everyone deserves to know the process that will lead to justice for the victim and her loved ones.
“There is urgent need for us to ensure that incidents like this are reduced to the barest minimum, and most importantly eradicated. And what Government can do, that we are not currently doing which can help Nigerian Police with their orientation, and a total overhaul of standards and procedures”, he said.
Sanwo-Olu further said his government will 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.
“We are indeed hoping that this meeting will be very useful. There are a lot of things we are taking back. We have called the Commissioner of Police even while we were here and he has also briefed us as to what they are doing in Lagos.
“Essentially, it is to continue to work with the Police, the things that we can do around providing some additional equipment that you can use; things around body cameras, and ensuring that we can jointly have an advocacy programme that can enhance and improve public and police communication.
“What are the roles of engagement, who needs to do what so that we can have a better community and community policing and a better citizens-police engagement.
“We need to ensure that nothing is left undone, no cover-up of any sort in this particular case and that the full arm of the law is put in place to ensure that the officer is apprehended and has his day in court.
“It is one of our responsibilities coming here to get a sense of the additional level of support from the Inspector General of Police with his men in Lagos and other parts of the country,” he said.
The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba also spoke, assured the Lagos State Governor, Sanwo-Olu that there will not be any cover-up in handling the case of the deceased lawyer and the culprit.
“Governor Sanwo-Olu is here to find out about how far we have gone in terms of investigating the incident that happened in Lagos on Christmas Day.
“I can assure him that this incident will be investigated. The Attorney- General of Lagos State will intervene in the case for him to take over the prosecution from the Police. I can assure you that there is no going to be any hanky-panky on the issue.
“We are also saddened about the incident. I want to again extend my condolences to the family of the late Bolanle Raheem, the husband, and entire family. I also wish to extend my condolence to the government and the people of Lagos State and Nigeria at large.
“We will continue to improve on how our officers will engage in the use of a firearm. At the same time, we also want to appeal to Nigerians to be responsible.
“They should help the Police by way of supervision and making their work easy. I want to assure the members of the public that their case will be dealt with,” he assured.