A Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver, Andrew Nice Ominnikoron, a suspect in the murder of his 22-year-old passenger, Oluwabamise Ayanwola, was yesterday arraigned at a Lagos High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square.
He was brought before Justice Sherifat Sonaike charged with conspiracy, murder and rape.
Miss Ayanwola, on February 26, went missing after boarding a bus going to Oshodi from Chevron Bus Stop at about 7pm.
She worked as a fashion designer at Chevron Estate in Ajah, Lagos, but spent the weekends at Ota, Ogun State, with her sister.
Her body was found dumped by the roadside, on Carter Bridge, Lagos Island.
The police, who confirmed the incident, said an unidentified man reportedly informed officials of Ebute Ero Police Station of the incident.
At commencement of hearing yesterday, the state’s Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Dr Jide Martins told the court that the defendant on November 25, 2021, raped a 29-year-old lady.
The prosecutor further told the court that Ominnikoron conspired with others now at large and forcefully had sexual intercourse with Bamise, then killed her.
Martins said the incident happened on February 25, 2022, at about 8 pm, at Lekki-Ajah Conservation Expressway and Carter Bridge.
He said the defendant and others still at large on February 26, 2022, unlawfully killed Oluwabamise Ayanwole by throwing her out of a moving bus at Carter Bridge after raping her.
The prosecutor said the offences were punishable under Sections 411,223,260 and 165 of the criminal law of Lagos State 2015.
Ominnikoron, 47, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Justice Sonaike ordered that the defendant be further remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, and adjourned the matter till May 9, 10 and 11, 2022 for trial.
On March 11, 2022, a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court had remanded the defendant in Correctional Service custody for 30 days over his alleged involvement in the death of Ayanwole, pending the DPP’s legal advice.
Magistrate O. A. Salawu made the order following an application by the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Yaba, Lagos.
The Nation
