ANDREW NICE'S TRIAL: IF THE VICTIM HAD ALIGHTED FROM THE BUS, THIS CASE WILL NOT BE IN COURT - POLICE WITNESS

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

On Monday, Sunday Ihende, the seventh witness in the ongoing murder trial against Andrew Nice Oninikoron, the BRT driver, who was alleged to have raped and killed Oluwabamise Ayanwola, a 22-year-old fashion designer, has been discharged by the court after cross-examination.

The police officer who faced a grilling cross-examination by Abayomi Omotubora, the defense counsel, at the resumed hearing before Justice Sherifat Sonaike of the Lagos High Court sitting in Tafawa Balewa Square, mentioned that if Oluwabamise, had alighted from the bus on that day, the case wouldn’t have been in court neither would she be dead by now.

He stated this during cross-examination when the lead defense counsel asked if the police officer, was sure that the deceased did not alight from the bus like the other four unidentified passengers that was reported to have boarded the bus.

“If the victim had alighted from the bus, she wouldn’t have been late by now. If she had alighted, the case would not be here. He said.

Omotubora however, questioned him again on whether he analysed the voices that was heard in the audio recordings that was sent from the deceased phone while she was on the bus to ascertain the voices.

He said, “I analysed the audio recording and I know that the voice was that of the deceased and her friend.”

“This would be the second time that I’m listening to this audio recording.

“I tried to reach out in order to carry out an investigation but the other person was not forthcoming. I have not had an opportunity to meet her in person and it is obvious that the voice note is authentic.”

When the counsel asked Sunday Ihende, if the BRT driver heard the audio recording before he wrote his statement, he told the court that he was not aware.

He said, “There’s no way I would know if he has gone through the Voice note before the statement.”

When the matter came up the Director of Public Prosecution Dr. Babajide Martins announced his appearance for prosecution.

Ominnikoron is facing a five-count charge bordering on rape, conspiracy, felony, sexual assault, and murder preferred against him by the Lagos State government.

The prosecution said that the defendant on November 25, 2021, allegedly raped a 29-year-old lady Nneka Maryjane Odezulu, without her consent.

It said that the incident took place at about 8:00p.m at Lekki-Ajah Conservation Centre Lekki-Ajah Expressway, Lagos.

The prosecution also told the court that Ominnikoron conspired with others now at large to commit rape and murdered his 22-year-old passenger, Oluwabamise Ayanwola, a fashion designer.

It said that the defendant had sexual intercourse with Oluwabamise Ayanwola, without her consent and murdered her, at about 7:00p.m, between Lekki-Ajah Expressway and Carter bridge, on February, 26, 2022.

The prosecution also said that the defendant and others at large on February 26, 2022, unlawfully killed one Oluwabamise Ayanwola by throwing her out of a moving bus between Lekki-Ajah Expressway and Cater bridge.

The defendant was also accused of sexually assaulting a-29-year old woman one Victoria Anieke, on December 29, 2021, between Ikorodu and Mile 12 area of Lagos State.

Justice Sherifat Sonaike however adjourned the matter till 23rd January and 20th February, 2023 for continuation of trial.