Bamise: Lagos court told how bus samples were taken for forensic analysis 

Justice Sherifat Sonaike of Lagos State High Court sitting in Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), was yesterday told how police conducted a forensic examination on the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) bus, but that the report was not yet out.

A prosecution witness, Superintendent of Police (SP), Goddy Ihende, disclosed this during the ongoing trial of a BRT driver, Andrew Omninikoron, over alleged murder of a 22-year-old fashion designer, Oluwabamise Ayanwole.
While being cross-examined by the defendant’s counsel, Mr. Abayomi Omotubora, the witness told the court that they (Police) took samples from the bus for a DNA analysis. He noted that it takes time to get the result of the forensic analysis.

Ihende, the seventh prosecution witness, said that the defendant picked up the victim from Chevron Bus Stop, instead of the designated BRT Bus Stop.

He said: “ In my earlier answer, I said the defendant was not supposed to pick a passenger that is not in the BRT Bus Stop, but he went ahead and did that because he didn’t want to remit the money into the Lagos State’s account.” 

When asked if he found out whether the victim paid any fare for boarding the vehicle, the witness told the court that the person who would have answered that was unfortunately late.
“ I don’t know that fact because I don’t work for BRT. For the BRT driver to have picked the victim, it means that he had his own reason. We all know that the  late Bamise boarded that bus on February 26, 2022 and the defendant was the driver.

“ The defendant said he picked her at about 7:00p.m., so he cannot be lying.”
After listening to the cross-examination of the witness, the trial judge adjourned further trial in the case to December 12, 2022.

Ominnikoron is facing a five-count charge bordering on rape, conspiracy, felony, sexual assault, and murder preferred against him by the Lagos State government.

The prosecution led by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) told the court that Ominnikoron conspired with others now at large to rape and murdered his 22-year-old passenger.The prosecution said that the defendant had sexual intercourse with Ayanwole, without her consent and murdered her, at about 7:00p.m., between Lekki Ajah expressway and Carter bridge, on February 26, 2022.

The prosecution alleged that the defendant and others now at large on February 26, 2022, unlawfully killed one  Ayanwole by throwing her out of a moving bus between Lekki- Ajah expressway and  Cater bridge.

 The prosecution also said that the defendant on November 25, 2021, allegedly abused sexually a 29 year -old lady  Maryjane Odezulu, without her consent.
 His offences contravened Sections 411, 223, 260 and 165 of the Criminal Law of  Lagos State 2015.
 However, the 47-year-old defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.