Justice for Oluwabamise: BRT Driver Denies Charges

BRT Driver Faces Trial for Alleged Rape, Murder of Fashion Designer

“The light that was on was enough for those in the bus to see, but wasn't bright enough for those outside to see the bus...”

Andrew Ominikoron, a BRT driver, stands trial for alleged rape and murder of Oluwabamise Ayanwole. He denies involvement, claiming three male passengers committed the crime. The case continues on October 21, 2024.

Andrew Ominikoron, BRT driver accused of raping and killing 22-year-old Oluwabamise Ayanwole, begins defense in trial.

The BRT driver accused of raping and murdering 22-year-old fashion designer Oluwabamise Ayanwole, testified in his defense at the Lagos State High Court in Tafawa Balewa Square. He categorically denied any involvement in the heinous crime, asserting that he neither raped nor killed Oluwabamise.

Ominikoron revealed that he began his tenure as a bus captain of the BRT in September 2021. On February 26, 2022, he worked the afternoon shift, starting at 1 pm, with his designated route spanning from Oshodi to Ajah. However, prosecutor testimony alleged that Ominikoron's modus operandi was to single out female passengers, take them to isolated areas, and then assault them.

Prosecutors also presented testimony from other alleged victims, including Dr. Victoria Anieke and Maryjane, who claimed Ominikoron attempted to or succeeded in raping them in similar circumstances. Ominikoron faces five charges, including rape, conspiracy, felony, sexual assault, and murder. The case remains ongoing.

Andrew Ominikoron, the BRT driver accused of rape and murder, continued his testimony. He stated that after completing his first round trip, he began his second trip back to Ajah around 7-8 pm. Feeling exhausted, he decided to end his official shift but chose to engage in an unauthorized practice known as “Korope,” picking up passengers illegally while returning to Oshodi.

Ominikoron faces five charges filed by the Lagos State Government: rape, conspiracy, felony, sexual assault, and murder, relating to the alleged crimes against 22-year-old Oluwabamise Ayanwole and other alleged victims. The trial continues under Justice Sherifat Sonaike at the Lagos State High Court in Tafawa Balewa Square.

On February 26, 2022, around 7 pm, a tragic incident occurred near the Conservation Centre on Lekki-Ajah Expressway in Lagos. According to the charges, Andrew Ominikoron, a BRT driver, allegedly raped and murdered 22-year-old fashion designer Oluwabamise Ayanwole. The prosecution claims that Ominikoron forcibly had sexual intercourse with Oluwabamise before taking her life.

These alleged offenses violate multiple sections of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, including Sections 411, 223, 260, and 165. Ominikoron faces five charges: rape, conspiracy, felony, sexual assault, and murder. Despite the severity of these allegations, Ominikoron has pleaded not guilty. The trial, presided over by Justice Sherifat Sonaike, is ongoing at the Lagos State High Court in Tafawa Balewa Square.

Andrew Ominikoron, the BRT driver accused of raping and murdering Oluwabamise Ayanwole, has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. The trial was temporarily halted on June 24 due to Ominikoron's leg injury, which he sustained in prison. According to an official from the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, Ominikoron fell in the bathroom on June 23, injuring his left leg, and was unable to attend court.

At the resumed hearing on Thursday, Director of Public Prosecutions Babajide Martins noted that the case had been stalled since November 2023. He stated that the day's proceedings would focus on the defense's opening case. This development marks a significant step forward in the trial, which has been delayed for several months.

Case Background

Charges: Rape, conspiracy, felony, sexual assault, and murder

Alleged Violations: Sections 411, 223, 260, and 165 of Lagos State's Criminal Law of 2015 

Defendant's Plea: Not guilty

The trial continues under Justice Sherifat Sonaike at the Lagos State High Court in Tafawa Balewa Square.

The judge directed the defense to present its case. Andrew Ominikoron, led by his counsel Abayomi Omotubora, took the stand. He recounted picking up Oluwabamise Ayanwole at Chevron and three male passengers at Agungi.

Ominikoron described an unexpected turn of events. One male passenger approached him, supposedly to pay, but instead threw an object at his head, revealed a gun, and demanded cooperation. The defendant explained that when picking up passengers illegally, they're instructed to sit at the back to avoid detection by BRT monitors.

Ominikoron complied with the gunman's instructions to divert his route and put the vehicle in neutral. He clarified that the bus's interior light was on, albeit dim, as he attempted to avoid detection for picking up passengers illegally.

Abayomi Omotubora, the defense counsel, requested the audio recording of Oluwabamise Ayanwole, which was then played in open court. Omotubora asked Andrew Ominikoron, the defendant, if he knew Oluwabamise was recording or sending voice notes. Ominikoron replied that he was unaware, stating he first heard the recording at Panti Police Station after making his statement. However, due to a language barrier, he couldn't understand its content.

Ominikoron testified that he didn't know the three men he picked up at Agungi, having never seen them before, and thus couldn't identify them. He also alleged severe torture at Panti Police Station, claiming police pressured him to agree with their statements without hesitation.

He said, “The light that was on was enough for those in the bus to see, but wasn't bright enough for those outside to see the bus.”

Andrew Ominikoron, the BRT driver accused of raping and murdering Oluwabamise Ayanwole, testified in court that he was unaware of Bamishe's audio recording or voice notes until he heard them at the Panti Police Station after making his statement. However, due to a language barrier, he couldn't understand the content.

Ominikoron claimed he didn't know the three men he picked up at Agungi, having never seen them before, and wouldn't be able to identify them. He alleged severe torture at Panti Police Station, stating police pressured him to agree with their statements without hesitation.

During the trial, Ominikoron's counsel, Abayomi Omotubora, played Bamishe's audio recording in open court. Ominikoron testified that he picked up Bamishe at Chevron and the three men at Agungi. He described an unexpected turn of events where one of the male passengers approached him, supposedly to pay, but instead threw an object at his head, revealed a gun, and demanded cooperation.

Ominikoron stated that he followed the gunman's instructions, diverting his route and putting the vehicle in neutral. He explained that the bus's interior light was on, albeit dim, as he attempted to avoid detection for picking up passengers illegally. The trial continues, with the next hearing scheduled for October 21, 2024.

Ominikoron said, “I was brought out and questioned every 15 to 20 minutes and they continually took my statements.

“I could not write my statements due to the torture, so two to three people questioned me while the writer sat in front and wrote down my response.”

Abayomi Omotubora, the defense counsel, requested Exhibits 10a, b, 11, and 12. Exhibit 10, a previous statement by Andrew Ominikoron, was read aloud in court. In the statement, Ominikoron recounted that Oluwabamise Ayanwole initially sat behind him, and he expressed his admiration for her. However, to avoid detection by Lagos State Bus Service (LSBS) officers, he asked her to move to the second-to-last seat.

This interaction occurred before Ominikoron picked up the three male passengers at Agungi. The statement shed light on the events leading up to the alleged crime, providing context for the defendant's version of events. Ominikoron's testimony continued, offering insight into the sequence of events on the day of the incident.

Andrew Ominikoron, the BRT driver, testified that at the Osborne area, one of the men pointed a gun at him and forced him to divert from his route. He claimed that when they stopped, Oluwabamise Ayanwole was screaming for help as she was being dragged away, but he was unable to intervene due to the gun pointed at him.

Ominikoron stated that after the men exited the bus, he went to the back to search for Oluwabamise but couldn't find her. He then returned to his seat and drove off, eventually parking his bus at the 7 Up terminal toll-gate.

This testimony is part of Ominikoron's defense in the ongoing trial for the alleged rape and murder of Oluwabamise Ayanwole.

Andrew Ominikoron, the BRT driver, continued his testimony, describing his actions following the alleged incident. He stated that he went home and stayed there throughout Sunday, still in shock. On Monday, while on his way to work, he was summoned to report to Oshodi, where he learned that one of his passengers, Oluwabamise Ayanwole, was missing.

Ominikoron claimed he then contacted his friend, Hope, under the pretext of having issues with his landlord and at work, seeking advice. He traveled to Ogun State to meet Hope, expressing a desire to stay for a while.

Under cross-examination, Ominikoron categorically denied having sexual relations with anyone on his bus. He maintained that the three male passengers raped Oluwabamise and dragged her out of the bus, reiterating his earlier testimony.

Ominikoron's testimony aims to establish his version of events and deflect allegations of involvement in Oluwabamise's rape and murder. The trial continues, with the prosecution seeking to establish the truth behind the tragic incident.

Ominikoron testified that he was in a state of shock, which left him unable to disclose the incident to anyone, explaining his actions on Monday following the alleged events.

“While still on my way to work, I was called to the head office in Oshodi to meet Ola. On getting there, I was told not to drive out, but wait.

“Then some of my colleagues were now saying that I did Korokpe, after saying I didn't do that, they now said one of my passengers is missing.

“After hearing this, I now found a way to leave the depot because I was afraid that the rumour had got to the office and I remembered that my Managing Director MD had continually told us that he could use N1 million to chase someone even if it was N100.

“So, I ran away because picking people illegally is equal to stealing,” he said.

Andrew Ominikoron was questioned about his relationship with MaryJane and allegations of rape on November 25, 2021. He acknowledged knowing MaryJane but vehemently denied raping her.

Ominikoron clarified that he and MaryJane were in a romantic relationship, but they never consummated it. He stated that his last interaction with her involved sending N3,000 for her ailing child. He began distancing himself from her due to her consistent financial demands whenever they met.

This testimony aims to address allegations of rape and establish Ominikoron's version of events regarding his relationship with MaryJane.

“After giving her the money on that day, I avoided her and didn't pick up her calls. So, I don't understand nor know where she got her ideas from,” he said.

Andrew Ominikoron faced additional questioning regarding an alleged attempted rape of a doctor (name withheld) on December 29, 2021, in Ikorodu. He categorically denied knowing the doctor or visiting Ikorodu on that date.

The court proceedings concluded for the day, with the judge adjourning the case until October 21, 2024. The adjournment allows for the continuation of Ominikoron's examination-in-chief, where he will face further questioning about the allegations against him.

This case is part of the ongoing trial, where Ominikoron faces charges related to the rape and murder of Oluwabamise Ayanwole, as well as other alleged offenses.