The Bus Rapid Transit driver, Andrew Ominikoron, standing trial for allegedly raping and murdering 22-year-old fashion designer, Oluwabamise Ayanwole, on Thursday, opened his defence. Ominikoron, who testified in his defence before the Lagos State High Court in Tafawa Balewa Square, told the court that he did not rape nor kill Oluwabamise. He testified that he became a bus captain of the BRT in September 2021.
The defence witness narrated to Justice Sherifat Sonaike that on February 26, 2022, he was on an afternoon shift, which he resumed by 1 pm, and his route was from Oshodi to Ajah. He said he made a round trip and went on the second trip back to Ajah, saying that it was already around 7 to 8 pm. He said he couldn’t continue working but decided to illegally pick passengers while going back to Oshodi, a term he and his colleague call Korokpe.
The defendant is standing trial bordering on rape, conspiracy, felony, sexual assault, and murder brought against him by the Lagos State Government. According to the charges, the incident occurred on February 26, 2022, around 7 pm, near the Conservation Centre, Lekki-Ajah Expressway, Lagos. The prosecution alleged that Ominikoron forcibly had sexual intercourse with Oluwabamise Ayanwole before murdering her.
The alleged offences, they say, contravened Sections 411, 223, 260, and 165 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. On the last adjourned date on June 24, the trial w.