Andrew Ominikoron, the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver accused of raping and murdering 22-year-old fashion designer Oluwabamise Ayanwole, testified in his defense before the Lagos State High Court in Tafawa Balewa Square on Thursday, insisting he did not commit the crimes. The case, which has drawn significant public attention, resumed with Ominikoron providing his account of the events surrounding Ayanwole’s death.
During his testimony, Ominikoron explained that he joined the BRT service as a bus captain in September 2021. He recounted that on February 26, 2022, the day of the incident, he began his shift at 1:00 pm, covering the route from Oshodi to Ajah. By evening, around 7:00 to 8:00 pm, he decided to engage in what he called “Korokpe”—an illegal practice where drivers pick up passengers unofficially while off-duty. According to him, this was a common practice among drivers to avoid detection by BRT officials.
Ominikoron is facing multiple charges, including rape, conspiracy, felony, sexual assault, and murder, all brought against him by the Lagos State Government. The prosecution has accused him of forcibly having sexual intercourse with Ayanwole and subsequently killing her. The alleged incident took place near the Conservation Centre along the Lekki-Ajah Expressway.
In court, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr. Babajide Martins, emphasized that the case had seen significant delays since November last year. He urged the defense to proceed with presenting their case. Justice Sherifat Sonaike instructed Ominikoron to begin his defense, which his lawyer, Abayomi Omotubora, facilitated.
Ominikoron narrated that he picked up Ayanwole at the Chevron bus stop and later picked up three male passengers at Agungi. He claimed that one of the male passengers approached him during the trip, initially appearing to offer payment. However, the man suddenly struck him on the head and revealed a gun, ordering him to comply with their demands.
Describing the situation, Ominikoron said, “When we engage in Korokpe, we ask the passengers to sit at the back to avoid being seen by BRT officials. I was instructed to put my bus in neutral and follow the directions given by the man with the gun.” He added that the bus’s dim interior lighting made it difficult for anyone outside to see what was happening inside.
As the events unfolded, Ominikoron stated that the men directed him to change his route. He recalled that Ayanwole began screaming for help while being dragged by the men, but he claimed he could not intervene because a gun was pointed at him. “I could not do anything because they had a gun. After they dragged her out, I checked the bus but couldn’t find her. I drove back to the 7-Up terminal and parked the bus,” he said.
The defense lawyer played an audio recording made by Ayanwole during the incident in the courtroom. When asked if he was aware of the recording, Ominikoron said, “I had no knowledge of it until I heard it for the first time at the Panti Police Station.” He added that he struggled to understand the recording due to a language barrier.
Ominikoron also claimed he was tortured during his time at the Panti Police Station. He stated, “I was questioned every 15 to 20 minutes, and due to the torture, I couldn’t write my statements myself. The officers wrote them down while I answered their questions.”
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In his testimony, Ominikoron denied having any prior acquaintance with the three male passengers who allegedly attacked him. He emphasized that he would not be able to identify them, as he had never seen them before the incident.
The driver further denied allegations related to other cases of attempted rape. When asked about a certain MaryJane, whom he allegedly raped in November 2021, Ominikoron said he knew her but insisted they were never intimate. “We were in a relationship, but I never raped her. I started avoiding her because she kept asking me for money,” he explained.
Ominikoron also refuted claims of attempting to rape another woman, a doctor, in Ikorodu on December 29, 2021. He stated, “I don’t know her, and I was not in Ikorodu on that day.”
The defense highlighted inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case, emphasizing Ominikoron’s account of being threatened at gunpoint by the male passengers. The driver argued that his actions were driven by fear and that he had no involvement in Ayanwole’s assault or death.
The court adjourned the case until October 21, 2024, for the continuation of the defense’s presentation. As the trial proceeds, the public awaits further developments in this high-profile case, which has become a significant topic of discussion in Lagos and beyond.