Pathologist Testifies: BRT Rape Victim’s Death Due to Blunt Force Trauma

The trial of Andrew Nice Ominikoron, a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver accused of raping and murdering 22-year-old fashion designer Oluwabamise Ayanwola, continued on Friday at the Lagos High Court, located at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS).

The Pathologist, Professor Sunday Soyemi, who conducted the autopsy on the late Ayanwola, provided chilling testimony, attributing her cause of death to a severe craniocerebral injury resulting from blunt force trauma.

Soyemi, a professor at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), made this revelation while serving as the ninth and final prosecuting witness before Justice Sherifat Sonaike, the presiding judge.

Oluwabamise Ayanwola disappeared on February 26, 2022, while traveling from Ota to Ajah, after boarding a BRT bus. Andrew Nice Ominnikoron, the accused BRT driver, is facing a five-count charge that includes rape, conspiracy, felony, and murder, filed against him by the Lagos State Government.

The Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) disclosed that the alleged incident occurred around 7 pm between the Lekki-Ajah Conservation Centre and Cater Bridge. According to the DPP, Andrew Nice conspired with others who remain at large, sexually assaulted the 22-year-old passenger, Bamise, without her consent, and subsequently murdered her by throwing her out of a moving bus at Cater Bridge.

The charges brought against the defendant are in violation of Sections 411, 223, 260, and 165 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

During the recent court proceedings, Professor Soyemi, led in evidence by Dr. Babajide Martins, the DPP, described the autopsy process, revealing a series of injuries sustained by the victim. He pointed out bruises on the left side of her forehead, the right temple above her ear, and a significant bruise on the back of her skull, in addition to a bruise on the elbow region.

Professor Soyemi further detailed internal findings, including subdural hematoma, fractures of the temporal bone, and deep bruising on both lower lips. Notably, the examination revealed that Bamise was not pregnant, and the cause of death was determined to be severe craniocerebral injury from blunt force trauma.

The pathologist emphasized that he collected samples for identification and toxicology, which were sent to the Lagos State DNA forensic Lab.

During cross-examination by Abayomi Omotubora, the defense counsel, Professor Soyemi clarified that while the Investigating Police Officer provided information about the deceased, this information did not influence the determination of the cause of death.

Following the cross-examination, Mr. Omotubora brought forward an application dated September 21, 2023, requesting the recall of some prosecution witnesses for further cross-examination. Dr. Babajide Martins, in response, opposed the application.

Justice Sherifat Sonaike reserved her ruling on the application and set the next court date for November 2, 2023, in this ongoing and deeply unsettling case.