Lagos Arraigns Bamise’s Killer, BRT Driver Ominnikoron Over Alleged Rape, Murder 

Late ‘Bamise And Her Alleged Killer, Andrew Nice Ominnikoron

Lagos Arraigns Bamise’s Killer, BRT Driver Ominnikoron Over Alleged Rape, Murder  

The alleged killer of late Oluwabamise Ayanwole, the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver, Andrew Nice Ominnikoron, was today, arraigned before a Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) High Court of Lagos State, over the alleged rape and murder.

Ominnikoron was brought before the court by Lagos State Government on a four-count charge bordering on Conspiracy, rape and murder.

At his arraignment before Justice Sherifat Sonaike, the Director of Public Prosecution DPP, Dr Jide Martins, informed the court that the matter was for the arraignment of the defendant.

The defendant’s counsel Mr Isaac Ezeawem did not object to the arraignment of the Ominnikoron.

Dr  Martins told the court that the BRT driver on November 25, 2021, allegedly raped a 29 year -old lady Nneka Maryjane Ozezulu, without her consent.

He said that the incident took place at about 7 pm, at Lekki- Ajah Conservation centre Lekki Ajah expressway Lagos.

He also told the court that Ominnikoron conspired with others now at large, on February 25, 2022, at about 8 pm, at Lekki-Ajah Conservation expressway and Cater bridge, forcefully had sexual intercourse with his 22-year-old passenger, Oluwabamise Ayanwole, a fashion designer without her consent and murdered her.

He said that the defendant and others still at large on February 26, 2022, unlawfully killed one Oluwabamise Ayanwole by throwing her out of a moving bus at Cater bridge after having sexual intercourse with her without her consent.

The prosecutor, told the court that the offences committed is contrary to and punishable under Sections 411, 223, 260 and 165 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.

However, the 47-year-old defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge against him.

With the defendant’s plea, the DPP urged the court to further remand him at the Ikoyi prison and asked for a trial date.

Consequently, Justice Sonaike ordered that Ominnikoron should be further remanded at the Ikoyi prison and adjourned the case to May 9, 10 and 11, 2022 for commencement of trial.

The alleged unrepentant rapist and murderei was on March 11, 2022, brought before a Yaba Chief Magistrate’s Court, to be remanded in the custody of Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) for 30 days over his alleged involvement in the death of Ayanwole, pending the DPP’s Legal Advice.

Magistrate O. A. Salawu made the order following an application by the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Yaba, Lagos.

Salawu, who stood in for Chief Magistrate Tunbosun Adedayo, ruled that Ominnikoron, should be kept at the Ikoyi prison pending legal advice on the matter from the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).

The Magistrate however adjourned the case till April 11 for DPP’s advice.

The police based its remand application with a temporary four-count charge marked A/26/2022 filed by Lagos State Police Command head of Legal Section, Superintendent Yetunde Cardosso.