Court adjourns over evidence in BRT driver rape case
Sherifat Sonaike, the trial judge in the rape and murder case involving Andrew Ominikoron, has adjourned till October 31 for a trial within trial. Ominikoron is accused of the rape and murder of a young woman, Bamise Ayanwole.
The defendant, who is a BRT driver, had picked the victim at Chevron area of Lekki in the Lagos metropolis. Ayanwole was later found dead.
Ominikoron’s trial resumed Tuesday, with prosecution witness Goddy Ihende giving his testimony. Ihende, a police officer, told the court of Ominikoron’s interrogation. He said the defendant claimed two men whom he picked along the way suddenly pulled a gun on each other. Ihende also claimed that Ominikoron told him that he sped away when the men alighted to engage in fisticuffs. He said he believed Ayanwole was still on the bus but he found out she was not. Ominikoron pushed back on the allegation of rape.
Ihende then sought the leave of court to tender a video recording of Ominikoron during interrogation.
Objecting, the defence counsel Abayomi Omotubora said Ominikoron was pressured into implicating himself. He objected the tendering of the compact disc.
After listening to the parties, Justice Sonaike adjourned the proceedings for a trial within trial on the next date.
