BAMISE: JUDGES' ABSENCE STALLS BRT DRIVER'S ALLEGED MURDER TRIAL

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

On Wednesday, the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver, Andrew Nice Ominnikoron’s alleged murder trial was postponed by Justice Sherifat Sonaike of the Tafawa Balewa Division of the Lagos High Court.

According to the court’s registrar, the judge was absent from court because she was indisposed.

Ominikoron was accused of raping and killing Oluwabamise Ayanwole, a 22-year-old fashion designer.

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

The court’s registrar postponed the case’s further hearing until September 21 and 26.

At the last sitting, Abayomi Omotubora, the defense counsel, cross-examined Inspector Jennifer, a police officer, regarding more complaint evidence.

The witness narrated to the court how the police got to find out during the course of investigation about another complaint, Dr Victoria Anoke, who lives in Asaba and also an alleged victim of the defendant in this case.

She told Justice Sonaike that Dr Anoke alleged that she was sexually assaulted by the defendant in a written statement.

The police inspector told the court that the 29-year-old doctor voluntarily spoke with officials after she saw the defendant’s pictures circulated on social media at the time.

Also recall that on 5th of December, 2022, Sunday Ihende, a homicide police officer, had testified before the honorable court that, the police conducted a test on the bus that was driven by the defendant on the day he was alleged to have raped and killed Ayanwola Oluwabamise.

He also stated that the driver had ulterior motives, that’s why he doesn’t pick and drop his passengers at the authorized BRT bus-stops.