[By Abigail Philip David]
Andrew Ominikoron, the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver accused of raping and killing 22-year-old fashion designer Oluwabamise Ayanwole, testified in his defense on Thursday at the Lagos State High Court, Tafawa Balewa Square. Ominikoron, who has been on trial for rape, conspiracy, sexual assault, and murder, denied the allegations, claiming he neither raped nor killed Ayanwole.
In his testimony, Ominikoron explained that he became a BRT bus captain in September 2021. On February 26, 2022, he was working a shift from Oshodi to Ajah when, after completing a round trip, he decided to illegally pick up passengers on his return to Oshodi, a practice known as “Korokpe” among drivers.
The prosecution alleges that Ominikoron sexually assaulted and murdered Ayanwole, an accusation he firmly denies. He explained that on the night of the incident, he picked up Ayanwole at Chevron and three other male passengers at Agungi. According to Ominikoron, one of the male passengers threatened him with a gun and instructed him to cooperate, forcing him to divert his route.
Ominikoron claimed the male passengers assaulted Ayanwole, but he could not intervene due to the threat posed by the gun. He stated that after the men left, he searched the bus but could not find Ayanwole. He then continued driving and eventually parked the bus at the 7-Up terminal before heading home.
The defendant also testified that he did not report the incident out of fear, particularly due to the illegal passenger pick-up, which could result in severe penalties from his employer.
Ominikoron further denied accusations related to another alleged sexual assault on November 25, 2021, involving a woman named MaryJane, and an alleged attempted rape of a doctor in Ikorodu on December 29, 2021.
The trial has been adjourned until October 21, 2024, for the continuation of Ominikoron’s defense.
