Bamise: Court adjourns adoption of final written address to March 6

The Lagos State High Court, sitting at TBS, yesterday adjourned the ongoing trial of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver Andrew Nice Ominikoron, who is alleged to have killed 22-year-old fashion designer Oluwabamise Ayanwola, marking the fourth adjournment in the case.

The matter, with suit number LD/18316C/2022, was again postponed as the defence counsel, Abayomi Omotubora, despite being present in court, had not filed his final written address.

Omotubora explained that he would have submitted a reply to the final address received from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Dr Babajide Martins, but for an issue raised in Martins’ address that he wished to respond to. He apologised for the delay, assuring the court that he would file the address either on March 3 or, at the latest, March 4.

He subsequently requested the court to accommodate the matter for Thursday, March 6, or at the latest, Monday, March 10, for the adoption of addresses. Justice Sherifat Sonaike, with the prosecutor’s agreement, adjourned the case to March 6 to allow Omotubora to file his written address on points of law.

The defendant and others at large are alleged to have unlawfully killed Ayanwola on February 26, 2022, by throwing her out of a moving bus between Lekki-Ajah Expressway and Carter Bridge.

The prosecution further alleged that Ominikoron raped a 29-year-old woman, Maryjane Odezulu, on November 25, 2021, at about 8:00 p.m., at the Lekki-Ajah Conservation Centre, Lekki-Ajah Expressway, Lagos. The offences are considered contrary to and punishable under Sections 411, 223, 260, and 165 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.