The Lagos State High Court at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS)
on Tuesday fixed February 8 for the hearing of the ‘No Case Submission’ filed
by the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver, Andrew Ominnikoron, who is facing trial for the death of one of his passengers, Oluwabamise Ayanwola.
Justice Sherifat Sonaike, who had earlier fixed today for the
adoption of the application, was forced to adjourn the case following the
failure of the defence counsel, Abayomi Omotubora, to serve the prosecution a
copy of the application.
The state, through its Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)
Jide Martins, had arraigned Omininikoron before the court on a four-count
charge of conspiracy, murder and two counts of rape.
The prosecution had informed the court that the defendant, on
November 25, 2021, allegedly raped a 29-year-old lady Nneka Maryjane Ozezulu in
Lagos.
The DPP alleged that the incident took place at about 7 pm
around the Lekki- Ajah Conservation Centre on the Lekki Ajah Expressway, Lagos.
The DPP also claimed that Ominnikoron conspired with others
now at large and forcefully had sexual intercourse with his 22-year-old
passenger, Oluwabamise Ayanwola, a fashion designer, without her consent after
which he murdered her.
Martins said the incident occurred on February 26, 2022, at
about 8 pm, between Lekki Ajah Conservation expressway and Carter bridge
Martins further told the court that the defendant and others
still at large, on February 26, 2022, unlawfully killed Oluwabamise Ayanwole by
throwing her out of a moving bus at Carter Bridge after having sexual
intercourse with her without her consent.
He maintained that the offences are contrary to and
punishable under sections 411, 223, 260 and 165 of the criminal law of Lagos
State 2015.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
When the case was called on Tuesday, the prosecutor, Mohammed Olateju, informed the court that Omotubora is yet to serve the prosecuting team with a copy of the No Case Submission application.
