Bolanle Raheem was “likely shot at a close range”

Pathologists and forensic experts have revealed how the post-mortem examination of Bolanle Raheem’s body was conducted.

Olatunde Williamshealth practitioner in Lagos State University Teaching Hospitalsaid on Wednesday during the murder trial of Drambi Vandi, a police officer, at a high court in TBS, Lagos.

He said the deceased was “probably shot at close range.”

Testimony

Mr Williams said after the body was taken to the mortuary, the widower and investigating police officers from the State Criminal Investigation Department were called in to identify the body before his team took measurements of height, weight and forensic photographs which included clothing. of the deceased.

“The body was naked, and we noticed all the internal defects and took photos. The size of the defects was measured and recorded,” he said.

“Next, we proceeded with the internal examination and various internal injuries were identified and recorded”.

“The findings from external to internal are that there are multiple defects mainly in the anterior chest wall and one defect of the left axillary fold.

“In the internal examination, there were multiple visceral or organ injuries and musculoskeletal injuries and specific injuries including several rib fractures, multiple injuries to the intercostal space and injuries to both lungs.”

Cause of death

Doctors said that they could establish three things from the examination that could be the cause of death – hemorrhagic shock, damage to the visceral tissues of the chest and musculoskeletal.

“The defect is caused by the largest bullet fragments. The targetry path of the bullet is determined by the relative position of all the injuries to each other. In this case, we determine that the target path is from left to right,” he explained.

“Based on the severity of the injuries, the bullet is moving at the maximum force that is likely to be discharged from close range. The bullet can hit an object and bounce in the direction of the body.”

“Simply put, the deceased conceived in less than three months,” he said.

During cross-examination, Adetokunbo Odutola, the defendant’s lawyer, asked the pathologist if he determined through the postmortem report, the person who pulled the trigger killed the deceased.

The witness replied that he could not determine.

Mr. Odutola also said the witness was based on postmortem records in media reports.

In response, the pathologist said that all conclusions were drawn based on the findings found in the autopsy.

He added that the explosive force of the bullet fired from the AK-47, which is thousands of the size of a fire hose, will penetrate the body, whether a person is standing or sitting.

After the witnesses were dismissed, the state attorney general and permanent secretary, Titilayo Shitta-Bey, closed the case after presenting at least 10 witnesses.

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The accused’s lawyer told the court that he will file a no-case application to withdraw the criminal charges.

The judge, Ibironke Harrison, ordered two lawyers to submit the adoption for the final written address in five days, and fixed February 28, for further hearing.