Indicted Bus Rapid Transit driver, Andrew Nice Ominnikoron, has pleaded not guilty to four counts bordering on rape, conspiracy and murder after appearing in court on Tuesday.
The Lagos State Government dragged Ominnikoron before a High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square over the alleged rape and murder of his passenger, Oluwabamise Ayanwole.
Bamise’s death sparked on social media and across the state, forcing the state government to shut down BRT operations for about two days.
Our correspondent who visited the Oshodi Bus Terminal yesterday gathered that BRT buses plying the Lekki – Ajah axis, the area where the ugly incident took place, resumed on Monday, March 21, the first time since Bamise disappeared on February 26, 2022.
However, the chief suspect Ominnikoron who was arraigned before Justice Sherifat Sonaike on Tuesday was also accused of raping a 29-year-old lady Nneka Maryjane Ozezulu, according to Vanguard.
According to the Director of Public Prosecution DPP, Dr Jide Martins, Ominnikoron raped Ozezulu on November 25, 2021, around 7 pm, at Lekki-Ajah Conservation centre Lekki Ajah expressway Lagos.
This is just as another lady, a medical doctor identified as Dr. Onyinyechi Victoria Anoke, alleged that Omininikoron tried to rape her on December 29, 2021.
On Bamise’s rape and murder, the suspect, who was represented by his counsel, Mr Isaac Ezeawem, was said to have committed the crime alongside some accomplices who are still at large.
The DPP told the court that the defendant and his cohorts unlawfully killed Bamise by throwing her out of a moving bus at Cater bridge after having sexual intercourse with her without her consent.
According to the prosecutor, the offences committed is contrary to and punishable under Sections 411,223,260 and 165 of the criminal law of Lagos State 2015.
Having pleaded not guilty, Justice Sonaike ordered that Ominnikoron should be further remanded at the Ikoyi prison upon the DPP’s request.
Consequently, Justice Sonaike adjourned the case to May 9, 10 and 11, 2022 for commencement of trial.
Meanwhile, Ominnikoron had previously been arraigned before a Yaba Magistrates’ court in Lagos State on March 11 where he was ordered to be remanded in Ikoyi custodial centre for 30 days.
