The Lagos High Court sitting in Tafawa Balewa Square has scheduled 3rd March for the adoption of final written addresses in the trial of Andrew Ominikoron, a Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) driver accused of raping and murdering 22-year-old fashion designer, Oluwabamise Ayanwola.
Justice Sherifat Sonaike set the new date following the continued absence of the defence counsel, Abayomi Omotubora.
This marks the third time the court has adjourned proceedings at the request of the defence. On 29th November 2024, the case was postponed due to Omotubora’s ill health. It was later adjourned to 30th January 2025, then to 10th February 2025, and now to 3rd March 2025, after Omotubora was again absent.
Details of the Case
Ominikoron was arraigned in March 2022 and faces charges of rape, conspiracy, sexual assault, and murder, as filed by the Lagos State Government.
Prosecutors allege that he conspired with others, who remain at large, to rape and murder Ayanwola on 26th February 2022. They claim he sexually assaulted her without consent and killed her between Lekki-Ajah Expressway and Carter Bridge at around 7pm.
Additionally, the prosecution accuses Ominikoron of unlawfully throwing Ayanwola out of a moving bus on the same day. He is also charged with raping a 29-year-old woman, Maryjane Odezulu, on 25th November 2021 near Lekki Conservation Centre.
The offences contravene Sections 411, 223, 260, and 165 of the Lagos State Criminal Law 2015.
Defence and Plea
Ominikoron, 47, has pleaded not guilty, maintaining that he neither raped nor killed Ayanwola. He claims that three unidentified male passengers who boarded his bus after working hours assaulted her and pushed her off the vehicle.
His defence commenced on 17th October 2024.