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How my colleague killed Bolanle Raheem during a stop-and-search — Police witness

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How my colleague killed Lagos lawyer during a stop-and-search — Police witness

How my colleague killed Bolanle Raheem during a stop-and-search — Police witness

 

 

 

 

BOLANLE RAHEEM– Interestingly, a police inspector attached to the Ajah division in Lagos State, Matthew Ahmed, has testified before a court in the murder trial of Drambi Vandi, the suspended police officer accused of the murder of Raheem Bolanle, a Lagos-based lawyer.

 

Mr Ahmed appeared before Ibironke Harrison, a judge, at the Lagos high court, Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) annexe, on Monday, as the first prosecution witness in the trial.

 

The suspended officer fatally shot Mrs Raheem, an expectant mother, on Christmas day.

 

The police officer is attached to the Ajiwe police division in the Ajah area of the state.

 

Trial

 

Mr Ahmed told the court that he was one of the three police officers from the division deployed to the Ajah underbridge, on 25 December.

 

Before his testimony, the defendant had pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge of murder filed against him by the Lagos State government.

 

Shortly after his plea, his colleague, Mr Ahmed, a police inspector, testified before the court as the first prosecution witness in the trial.

 

Narrating what happened, Mr Ahmed said he and two other police officers were deployed to Ajah underbridge on Christmas Day.

 

The police inspector mentioned the names of the two other police officers as Mr Ebieme and Mr Vandi, who is the defendant.

 

The witness said they were conducting a stop-and-search exercise when the incident happened at Ajah underbridge, adding that he was the only one unarmed in the three-man patrol team.

 

He said Mr Ebieme, a police inspector, stood at the front of the patrol team, while he was standing in the middle and the defendant was at the back.

 

“Inspector Ebieme flagged down a car (referring to the deceased husband’s car), the car did not stop, I also flagged down the car, the car did not stop for me,” he said.

 

“After that, the next thing I heard was a gunshot. I looked back to see what was happening, I saw a car in which the front window was falling down.

 

The next thing I saw was that one black woman jumped down from the vehicle. She held SUPOL Vandi and she said ‘oga, you have killed my sister’.

 

“The woman held him. The next thing, they entered the car and they all zoomed off.”

 

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Mr Ahmed added that he and Mr Ebieme left the scene after the deceased’s husband drove away from the scene.

 

He disclosed that the defendant was later brought into the Ajah police station and the three of them were asked to write statements on what transpired during the incident.

 

“What was the type of the car flagged down on the day of the incident,” Moyosore Onigbanjo, the attorney-general of Lagos State who is leading the prosecution team, asked.

 

“The car was a Toyota vehicle and it had no plate number,” Mr Ahmed responded.

 

“Toyota produced so many vehicles. What type of Toyota vehicle?” the attorney-general asked.

 

“I don’t know,” the police officer said.

 

“How many people were in the car when it was flagged down?” Mr Onigbanjo asked.

 

“I saw people in the car. I don’t know how many people were in the car because it did not stop,” Mr Ahmed said.

 

“Please clarify, the car does not have number plate or you did not see the number plate,”

 

“It had no number plate,” the police officer insisted.

 

The police inspector was also cross-examined by Odutola Adetokunbo, the lawyer of the defendant.

 

During the cross-examination, Mr Adetokunbo asked the witness to differentiate between a gunshot and a noise.

 

Mr Adetokunbo said the police inspector wrote in a statement that he heard a noise after he flagged down the deceased’s husband’s car.

 

The police inspector responded that he heard a gunshot from his back, where the defendant was standing during the patrol.

 

The judge granted the request of both parties to accelerate the hearing and adjourned the case to 25 and 26 January.

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Pastor Oyediran celebrates a remarkable achievement…..

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Pastor Oyediran celebrates a remarkable achievement....

Pastor Oyediran celebrates a remarkable achievement as his son, Oluwatimilehin Oyediran, earns a Master’s degree in Computer Science

 

…Paving the way for a brighter future

 

~By Oluwaseun Fabiyi

 

A celebratory atmosphere was palpable on Friday, May 9th, 2025, as a father shared his heartfelt congratulations with his son, Oluwatimilehin Oyediran, on completing his master’s degree in Computer Science at Alabama University in the United States of America

 

Pastor Oyediran celebrates a remarkable achievement....

 

Pastor Oyediran commenced his congratulatory message to his remarkable son, Oluwatimilehin Oyediran, by saying, “Big congratulations to you, my esteemed son, a proficient computer scientist, Oluwatimilehin Oyediran, for earning a master’s degree in Computer Science.”

 

According to a statement released by his media aide Oluwaseun Fabiyi, “My first and most important decision was to have you, which I have never regretted despite the numerous challenges and circumstances surrounding the world. Although you have never given your parents cause for concern, you confront your problems head-on like a mature man, face your challenges fearlessly and tackle obstacles with the ferocity of an eagle.”

 

When you first informed me that you would pursue computer science as your course of study, I had some reservations, not because I doubted your intellectual capabilities or perseverance, but because I knew you preferred to avoid stress, which is why I was somewhat skeptical, although I have faith that you will succeed

 

I appreciate your diligent efforts, which have not failed to impress me, and I am grateful that you have brought us honor. As a son of proud parents, you have proven your merit, and I am delighted to extend special congratulations to you on this exceptional accomplishment, dear son.

 

May you continue to attain greater heights in Jesus’ name. I am particularly proud of you. I wish you continued success. Congratulations once more my forever boyfriend.

 

Oluwaseun Fabiyi a seasoned journalist writes from Lagos, Nigeria.

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UBA’s Abiodun Coker Named “Future Leader in Media Management” at The Industry Summit/Awards

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UBA’s Abiodun Coker Named “Future Leader in Media Management” at The Industry Summit/Awards

UBA’s Abiodun Coker Named “Future Leader in Media Management” at The Industry Summit/Awards

The communications team at United Bank for Africa (UBA) has another reason to celebrate as Abiodun Coker, Media & External Relations Lead, has been honored with the “Future Leader in Media Management” award at the upcoming 6th edition of The Industry Summit/Awards.

UBA’s Abiodun Coker Named “Future Leader in Media Management” at The Industry Summit/Awards

Organized by The Industry Newspaper, the leading brand marketing publication in West Africa — the prestigious awards recognize outstanding professionals shaping the future of brand marketing and communications across the region.

The award jury, chaired by Mr. Tolulope Ogunjobi, renowned broadcast business correspondent and Business Editor at TVC News, cited Coker’s exceptional achievements in the public relations field during the year 2024. Particularly noted were his masterful handling of UBA’s 2024 Rights Issue, which successfully closed on December 24, 2024, and the impactful execution of the bank’s 75th Anniversary Campaign, both of which were described as commendable and exceptional.

A seasoned professional, Coker’s journey from an acclaimed financial journalist at BusinessDay Newspapers to a powerhouse in corporate communications has been nothing short of inspiring. With over eight years of robust journalism experience, coupled with leadership roles at top-tier public relations firms such as BD Consult Ltd and Quadrant, he has consistently demonstrated his ability to transform and manage leading brands successfully.

According to the jury, Coker’s management of UBA’s media ecosystem during the year under review was remarkable, with several media professionals praising his public relations craftsmanship and ability to skillfully manage the image of one of Africa’s most formidable financial brands.

“Abiodun Coker’s achievements in 2024 are a beacon for greater accomplishments ahead,” the jury noted. “He is undoubtedly one of the strategic communication experts to watch in 2025.”

The Industry Summit and Awards held on Friday, May 2, 2025, at CIBN House, Adeola Hopewell, Victoria Island, Lagos, and the awards ceremony took place at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Abiodun Coker’s recognition further cements his growing reputation as one of Nigeria’s most dynamic and future-ready communications leaders, with his eyes firmly set on redefining the media management landscape.

He is purposefully forging his path at UBA Group, widely regarded as a formidable team player in the communication strategic industry, his contributions are both impactful and impossible to overlook. He is undoubtedly a strong candidate for future leadership roles in the communications industry.

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President Tinubu: Anambra visit and the petals of inclusive leadership, by Fredrick Nwabufo

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President Tinubu: Anambra visit and the petals of inclusive leadership, by Fredrick Nwabufo

In botanical terms, inclusive leadership is like a flower of which beauty proceeds from the anatomy of each petal or the leaves of its corolla. It takes different parts to form a whole, and there is no stronger force than a united people.

President Bola Tinubu has steadily demonstrated a rare rallying quality; pulling together and not setting asunder. Whether north, south, east, or west, he has remained consistent as an even-handed arbiter, dealing graciously and honourably with everyone.

On May 2, he visited Katsina State, where he made bold and decisive declarations against banditry and terrorism in the North-West zone. He reiterated his resolve that Nigeria would never succumb to the designs of terror and asked the military to intensify its efforts to remove the vestiges of the menace.

The President visited Enugu State on January 4. The visit, his first port of call in the year, underscored the importance accorded to the South-East zone, as well as the President’s genuine effort at bringing all Nigerians together.

In Enugu, President Tinubu interacted with a melange of leaders in the South-East, listening, taking note of their concerns, and ending with a fine lexical smorgasbord of unity, hope, and compassion.

In Anambra, his second visit to the South-East in 2025, the President reprised his accustomed nationalistic aspect – not a performance or a contrivance, but an organic and time-honed disposition.

President Tinubu paid a visit to Anambra State on Thursday, May 8. He was received with flourish, elegance, and exceeding excitement — an undisputed affirmation of the Igbo saying, “Nkea bu nke anyi” (He is our own).

It was a carnival in the streets of Awka as the President’s convoy entered the city, a welcome deserving only of a well-striped warrior — Dike. The President was honoured with the foremost traditional title — Dike Si-mba of Anambra — mighty warrior/hero.

Earlier, he had inaugurated the Emeka Anyaoku Institute of International Studies and Diplomacy at Nnamdi Azikwe University; the new Government House, and Solution Funcity.

Speaking at Ekwueme Square, a stadium, where an open meeting was held with an array of South-East leaders, opinion moulders and other citizens, President Tinubu thanked the people of Anambra for the warm welcome and their support.

“I know our diversity will lead to prosperity.

“South-East, I salute your enterprise, your innovation, and commitment to progress,” the President said.

In his address, Governor Chukwuma Soludo thanked the President for honouring the state by visiting. He said the last state visit by any President was in 2012.

He commended the President for having the courage to take tough decisions that were already turning around the economy and encouraged the President to stay the course.

The governor said his support for President Tinubu was rooted in ideology and principle and described the President as the “Professor of Federalism.”

Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, also thanked the President, underscoring his expansiveness, accommodating, and fatherly disposition.

The significance of the President’s domestic trips is the exigency of solidarising, as well as of building bridges and fostering unity. Nigerians across the country can see, feel, and hear their President in the flesh. He comes to them with words of hope, encouragement, understanding, compassion, and action.

The President has shown time and time again that he is the leader that Nigeria sorely needs at this time to mend the fault lines, the fissures, and to disentangle the national antinomy.

Leadership is by example. It is in the doings. It is in the results. Little wonder Nigerians across all artificial aisles are rallying towards the President. The ability to bring people together, regardless of any unnatural boundaries, is the great stuff of leadership.

President Tinubu epitomises this outlier quality of leadership.

Fredrick Nwabufo is Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Engagement

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