The Lagos State Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver, Andrew Nice Ominikoron, who is on trial for the rape and murder of his passenger, Bamise Ayanwola, has denied the charges, instead blaming three others for the crime.
Ominikoron, aged 47, gave evidence on Thursday as he opened his defence before Justice Sherifat Sonaike of the Lagos State High Court at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos Island.
Led by his counsel, Abayomi Omotubora, the defendant stated that he neither raped nor killed the 22-year-old fashion designer, Bamise Ayanwola. Instead, he claimed that three male passengers who boarded his bus after official hours raped her and threw her out of the vehicle.
In March 2022, Ominikoron was charged by the Lagos State Government with four counts, including rape, conspiracy, sexual assault, and murder. The prosecution alleged that the murder occurred on February, 26, 2022, at about 7pm near the Lekki-Ajah Conservation Expressway. Ominikoron, however, pleaded not guilty.
Testifying, Ominikoron admitted that he had picked up Bamise at the Chevron bus stop, even though it was after his official working hours. He explained that it was common for drivers to pick up passengers after hours, allowing them to collect cash fares which they kept for themselves, as their salary was insufficient.
He added that after Bamise boarded, three male passengers got on at Agungi bus stop. Later, one of them approached him with a gun and ordered him to cooperate. Ominikoron claimed the men then dragged Bamise, raped her, and threw her off the bus before they disembarked.
The defendant said that after continuing his journey to Oshodi, he parked the bus and went home. He fled to Ogun State when he heard that Bamise was missing, fearing repercussions from his employers. He was later arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Ominikoron also denied knowledge of Bamise’s voice notes to her friend, expressing concerns about the other passengers. He further denied sexually assaulting two other women who had accused him, claiming he was never questioned about them during police custody. He admitted to dating one of the women but said they had broken up.
Justice Sonaike expressed frustration with the slow pace of the trial, noting that the frequent adjournments were at the request of the defence. The case was adjourned until Monday, October 21, 2024, for further examination of the defendant. The prosecution had closed its case in November 2023.
