Andrew Nice Omininikoron, a driver with Lagos State’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, Andrew Nice Omininikoron has denied allegations of rape and murder of of 22-year-old passenger Oluwabamise Ayanwola.
Omininikoron, denied the charges before the court presided by Justice Sherifat Sonaike while being led by his counsel, Abayomi Omotubora.
Testifying during the court proceedings , the defendant claimed that it was three male passengers who raped Ayanwola and then threw her out of the bus.
Omininikoron was first arraigned in March 2022 on charges of rape, conspiracy, and murder, following the incident on February 26, 2022, along the Lekki-Ajah expressway. Prosecutors alleged that he conspired with others to rape and murder Ayanwola, a fashion designer after she boarded his bus.
In his testimony, Omininikoron admitted to illegally picking up Ayanwola after official operating hours at the Chevron bus stop.
He described how he allowed her to board during a return trip to Oshodi around 8 pm.
The defendant explained that BRT drivers often pick up passengers after hours, bypassing the official payment system to collect cash.
Shortly after Ayanwola boarded, Omininikoron said three male passengers entered the bus at Agungi.
While approaching Osbourne under the bridge, one of the men reportedly pointed a gun at him and ordered him to comply.
According to the defendant, the man raped Ayanwola and then pushed her out of the bus before leaving the scene.
Omininikoron said he then continued his route to Oshodi, parked the bus, and went home.
Fearing punishment from his employers for illegally picking up passengers, he fled after learning Ayanwola had gone missing.
He was later arrested in Ogun State, where he was hiding with a friend.
Under cross-examination, Omininikoron denied knowing that Ayanwola had sent voice notes to a friend during the journey, expressing concern about her safety.
He also claimed he was tortured by police officers during interrogation, which prevented him from providing a written statement.
The defendant further denied allegations of sexual assault from two other women, asserting that the police had never presented these accusers to him for questioning.
He acknowledged a relationship with one of the women but claimed it ended because of financial disputes.
The trial judge, Justice Sonaike however expressed displeasure over the delays in the trial, and adjourned the case until October 21, 2024, for further examination of the defendant.
The prosecution had closed its case in November 2023, and the Director of Public Prosecutions, Babajide Martins, indicated that the Attorney General of Lagos State had queried the slow progress of the trial.
