Judiciary
HEARING in the no-case submission proposed by Mr Abayomi Omotubora, counsel for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver, Andrew Ominnikoron, charged with rape and murder of a 22-year-old fashion designer, Oluwabamisaye Ayanwole, was stalled on Thursday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the hearing could not continue due to the absence of the defendant’s counsel at a Lagos High Court, at Tafawa Balewa Square.
The defendant, Ominnikoron, is facing a five-count charge bordering on alleged rape, conspiracy, felony, sexual assault, and murder preferred against him by the Lagos State Government.
At the resumed hearing, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr Babajide Martins, informed the court that he received a call from the defendant’s counsel that he needed more time to serve his reply on points of law.
Martins, however, suggested a further date to enable the defence properly file its application.
After listening to the suggestion, Justice Sherifat Sonaike, adjourned the case until Feb. 15 for hearing of the no-case submission.
NAN reports that at the last proceeding, the defendant’s counsel had requested for more time to file a no-case submission.
Omotubora had told the court that the application for a no-case submission was at the filing stage.
The prosecution had during the arraignment told the court that Ominnikoron conspired with others now at large to rape and murder his 22-year-old passenger, Ayanwole.
The prosecution said that the defendant on Feb. 26, 2022, allegedly had sexual intercourse with Ayanwole, without her consent and murdered her at 7.00 p.m., between Lekki Ajah Expressway and Carter Bridge.
The prosecution also alleged that the defendant and others now at large unlawfully killed Ayanwole by throwing her out of a moving bus between Lekki- Ajah Expressway and Carter Bridge.
The prosecution noted that the defendant on Nov. 25, 2021, allegedly raped another person, a 29-year-old lady, one Maryjane Odezulu, without her consent at the Ajah Conservation Centre, Lekki Ajah Expressway, Lagos.
He added that the defendant sexually harassed one Dr Victoria Anuke, on the Ketu-Oshodi axis, Lagos, on Dec.29, 2021.
According to the prosecutor, the offences contravene Sections 165, 223, 260 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the charges. (NAN)
8th February, 2024.
C.E.
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