October 17, 2024
By Samuel Ogunsona
Andrew Nice Omininikoron, the Lagos State Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) driver standing trial for the alleged murder and rape of 22-year-old Oluwabamise Ayanwola, has opened his defense at the State High Court, Tafawa Balewa Square annex.
On Thursday, Omininikoron testified before Justice Sherifat Shonaike, claiming that three male passengers, who boarded his bus after official hours, were responsible for Ayanwola’s rape and murder.
He alleged that one of the men pointed a gun at him, ordering him to cooperate.
Omininikoron denied any involvement in Ayanwola’s murder and rape, contradicting the prosecution’s allegations. He stated that he illegally picked up Ayanwola at the Chevron bus stop on February 26, 2022, during a return trip to Oshodi after off-loading passengers on the Oshodi-Ajah route.
The defendant explained that he was not permitted to pick up passengers after 8 pm but did so anyway, telling them the cowry machine was not working, and they would pay the fare in cash.
Omininikoron claimed this was a common practice among drivers to supplement their low salaries.
Omininikoron’s counsel, Abayomi Omotubora, led him through his testimony. The defendant recounted that after picking up Ayanwola, he stopped at Agungi bus stop and picked up three male passengers. Shortly after, one of the men walked up to him at the driver’s seat, pointed a gun, and ordered him to cooperate.
According to Omininikoron, the three men dragged Ayanwola down, raped her, and pushed her off the bus.
He claimed he had never seen the men before and could only recognize the one who pointed the gun.
Omininikoron stated that he fled to Ososa in Ogun State after learning Ayanwola was missing, fearing repercussions from his employers. He was later arrested by DSS officials.
Under cross-examination, Omininikoron denied sexually assaulting two other women on his bus at different intervals before the alleged incident with Ayanwola.
Justice Sherifat Shonaike expressed displeasure at the slow pace of the case, noting frequent adjournments at the defense’s request. The Director of Public Prosecutions, Babajide Martins, revealed he received a query from the Attorney General over the case, as the prosecution closed its case in November 2023.
Andrew Nice Omininikoron was arraigned in March 2022 on four counts bordering on alleged rape, conspiracy, and murder of Oluwabamise Ayanwola. The prosecution alleges that Omininikoron conspired with others, now at large, to rape and murder Ayanwola.
Omininikoron’s testimony marks a significant turn in the trial, shifting blame to the three unidentified male passengers.
The court’s decision will determine the fate of the defendant.
The trial continues on October 21.
