Court Adjourns Bamise’s Murder Trial to Feb. 10

A Lagos State High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) yesterday adjourned proceedings in the murder trial of Oluwabamise Ayanwola to February 10, 2025, for the adoption of final written addresses.

The Lagos State government is prosecuting a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver, Andrew Nice Ominikoron, for allegedly killing the 22-year-old fashion designer.
Justice Sherifat Sonaike adjourned the matter after the defendant’s counsel, Mr Abayomi Omotubora, failed to file his final written address. The court had previously fixed yesterday’s date during its sitting on November 29, 2024, when Omotubora was absent, citing ill health.

At the resumed hearing, prosecuting counsel M.F. Salau noted that the matter had been slated for the adoption of written addresses but stated that the defence was yet to serve theirs. Salau described the delay as long overdue and sought a further date for proceedings.

Justice Sonaike criticised the defence counsel’s failure to file the address, stating: “This matter was adjourned on November 29, 2024, that is two months ago, and the defence counsel is yet to file his written address.”

The judge directed the prosecution to proceed with an application for filing their written address. Following submissions by Salau, who observed that there was no communication from Omotubora regarding his absence or the delay, the court adjourned the matter to February 10, 2025.

The prosecution alleges that Ominikoron raped and murdered Ayanwola at about 7:00 p.m. on February 26, 2022, between the Lekki-Ajah Expressway and Carter Bridge. It was further alleged that Ominikoron and others at large unlawfully killed Ayanwola by throwing her out of a moving bus on the same day and location.

Additionally, the prosecution accuses Ominikoron of raping a 29-year-old woman, Maryjane Odezulu, without her consent on November 25, 2021, at about 8:00 p.m., at the Lekki-Ajah Conservation Centre, Lekki-Ajah Expressway, Lagos.

The offences are contrary to and punishable under Sections 411, 223, 260, and 165 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. The 47-year-old defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges preferred against him.