Kehinde Fajobi
Andrew Ominikoron, a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver accused of raping and killing 22-year-old fashion designer Oluwabamise Ayanwole, opened his defence at the Lagos State High Court on Thursday. Ominikoron denied all charges, saying, “I didn’t rape or kill Oluwabamise.”
Ominikoron, who became a BRT driver in September 2021, testified that on February 26, 2022, he was on an afternoon shift along the Oshodi-Ajah route. He admitted to illegally picking passengers on his way back to Oshodi, an act known as “Korokpe” among drivers.
The Lagos State government has charged him with rape, conspiracy, sexual assault, and murder, claiming Ominikoron raped and killed Ayanwole on the night of February 26, 2022. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
In his testimony, Ominikoron narrated picking Ayanwole at Chevron and three male passengers at Agungi. He claimed one of the male passengers pointed a gun at him, forcing him to comply with their demands.
“They told me to put the vehicle on neutral,” he explained, adding that the bus lights were dimmed to avoid detection by BRT officials.
Ominikoron said that after the men assaulted Ayanwole, they dragged her off the bus. “Bamishe was screaming for help, but I couldn’t do anything because a gun was pointed at me,” he testified.
When asked about his actions afterward, Ominikoron said he continued driving until he parked the bus at the toll-gate terminal and went home, too shocked to report the incident. He claimed he only learned that one of his passengers was missing the next day when he was called to Oshodi.
“I ran away because I was afraid,” he admitted.
Ominikoron also denied other accusations, including allegations that he raped a woman named MaryJane in November 2021 and attempted to assault another woman in December 2021.
Regarding MaryJane, he stated, “We were in a relationship, but I never raped her.”
The case has been adjourned until October 21, 2024, for further examination of the defendant.