“I Did Not Rape or Kill Bamise” – BRT Driver Ominikoron Testifies in Court

Andrew Ominikoron, the driver of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) vehicle, on trial for the alleged rape and murder of 22-year-old fashion designer, Oluwabamise Ayanwole, has opened his defense, denying the charges brought against him.

In his testimony before the Lagos State High Court at Tafawa Balewa Square on Thursday, Ominikoron firmly stated that he neither raped nor murdered Ayanwole. The case, which has drawn significant public attention, stems from the tragic events of February 26, 2022, when Ayanwole was last seen alive aboard the BRT bus operated by Ominikoron.

During his defense, Ominikoron, who became a BRT bus captain in September 2021, recounted his shift on the day in question. He explained that he was working the afternoon shift, which started at 1 pm, and his route was between Oshodi and Ajah. He admitted to picking up passengers illegally, a practice referred to by BRT drivers as “Korokpe,” after his official working hours had ended.

The Lagos State Government has charged Ominikoron with multiple offenses, including rape, conspiracy, sexual assault, and murder, all of which he has pleaded not guilty to. The prosecution claims that Ominikoron forcibly had sexual intercourse with Ayanwole before killing her, with the incident occurring around 7 pm on the Lekki-Ajah Expressway near the Conservation Centre.

On the stand, Ominikoron told the court that on the night of the incident, he had picked up Ayanwole at the Chevron bus stop and three male passengers at Agungi. According to him, one of the men attacked him during the journey, brandishing a gun and forcing him to cooperate. He claimed he was ordered to follow the men’s instructions, which included turning off the main lights in the bus and putting the vehicle in neutral.

Ominikoron recounted that when they reached the Osborne area, the men allegedly pointed a gun at him, ordered him to divert the bus, and dragged Ayanwole out, as she screamed for help. He stated that he did not intervene out of fear for his life. He further explained that after the men left, he searched the bus for Ayanwole but could not find her, so he continued driving until he parked the bus at the 7-Up terminal in Lagos.

The driver also explained his decision to flee to Ogun State after hearing rumors about Ayanwole’s disappearance. He claimed that fear of being implicated in picking passengers illegally drove him to leave the BRT depot.

Under cross-examination, Ominikoron denied other allegations against him, including claims by two women that he had sexually assaulted them in separate incidents in late 2021. He admitted to knowing one of the accusers, a woman named MaryJane, but denied ever being intimate with her or raping her.

The trial, which had been delayed several times due to Ominikoron’s injuries sustained in prison, was adjourned until October 21, 2024, for the continuation of the defense’s case.