Court fixes May 9 for trial of BRT driver in murder of female passenger Bamishe

A Lagos State High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) has fixed May 9 for trial of the driver of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), Andrew Nice Omininikoron, arrested in connection with the murder of a female passenger, Oluwabamise Ayanwola.

Omininikoron was arraigned by the Lagos State Government on Tuesday before Justice Sherifat Sonaike on a four-count charge, bordering on rape, conspiracy and murder of Miss Ayanwola.

The Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Dr Jide Martins, told Justice Sonaike, that on November 25, 2021, the defendant allegedly raped a 29-year-old lady, Nneka Maryjane Ozezulu, without her consent.

He said that the incident took place at about 7pm, by the Lekki-Ajah Conservation Centre, off the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos.

The DPP also told the court that Omininikoron conspired with others, now at large, and forcefully had sexual intercourse with his 22-year-old passenger, Oluwabamise, without her consent after which he murdered her.

READ: BRT driver in Bamishe murder scandal raped me – Sales girl

He said that the defendant and others still at large on February 26, 2022, unlawfully killed Oluwabamise Ayanwola by throwing her out of a moving bus at Carter bridge after having sexual intercourse with her without her consent, on February 25, 2022, at about 8pm, by the same Lekki-Ajah Conservation Centre, off the Lekki-Epe Expressway.

According to the prosecutor, the offences committed are contrary to and punishable under Sections 411, 223, 260 and 165 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

When all the counts were read to the defendant, he pleaded not guilty to the charge against him.

Following his plea, the DPP asked the court to order a further remand of the defendant at the Ikoyi prison. He also asked for a trial date.

With no objections from the defence counsel, Mr Isaac Ezeawem, the court ordered that the defendant should be further remanded at the Ikoyi prison.

Justice Sonaike subsequently adjourned the case to May 9, 10 and 11, 2022 for commencement of trial.