By Felix Kuyinu
A Lagos High Court in Tafawa Balewa Square has fixed a new date for trial of one Andrew Ominikoron who has been charged for rape and murder of a Bus Rapid Transport, BRT, passenger.
The failure of defense counsel to serve the prosecution its no-case submission application file was the reason behind the adjournment.
The court was informed by the state’s prosecutor, Mohammed Olateju, that the defense counsel, Abayomi Omotubora, at the last sitting, hinted the court that he would be filing a no-case submission.
However, Omotubora of the Abayomi Omotubora chambers, told the court that the reason why the prosecution has not been served was because the filing has not been completed.
The defense counsel stated that his team needed a little time in order to complete the filing. He said that all that is left to be done is scanning and that will be done as soon as possible. He prayed the court that all necessities will be done so as to ensure continuity of the trial.
Olateju suggested a further date to enable the defense file its no-case submission properly.
Justice Serifat Sonaike adjourned the case till February 8, for the defense to provide all documents for the adoption of its no-case submission.
Ominikoron, 47, is facing a five-count charge of rape, conspiracy, felony, sexual assault, and murder of 22-year-old fashion designer, Bamise Ayanwole.
Through the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Jide Martins, Lagos State arraigned Omininikoron before the court on a four-count charge of conspiracy, murder and two counts of rape.
The DPP had informed the court that the defendant, on November 25, 2021, allegedly raped a 29-year-old lady Nneka Ozezulu at about 7pm around the Lekki-Ajah Conversation Centre.
The DPP also claimed that the suspect conspired with others not yet apprehended to forcefully have sexual intercourse with Oluwabamise Ayanwola, 22, who boarded a BRT bus driven by him and murdered her in the process.
Martins said the deceased who was a fashion designer was went through the ordeal on February 26, 2022 at about 8pm between the Lekki-Ajah Conversation Expressway and Carter Bridge.
The DPP figure maintained that the offences are contrary to and punishable under sections 411, 223, 260 and 165 of the criminal law of Lagos State 2015.