A police inspector on Thursday testified that a doctor, Victoria Anuke, opened up as a victim of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver, Andrew Ominnikoron, charged with the murder of Oluwabamise Ayanwole.
The inspector testified at Mr Ominnikoron’s trial before the Tafawa Balewa Square Division of the Lagos High Court. The officer was cross-examined by the defendant’s counsel, Abayomi Omotubuora.
Mr Ominnikoron is facing a five-count charge bordering on rape, conspiracy, sexual assault and murder. The charge was preferred against him by the Lagos government.
The witness said the police became aware of Mr Anuke’s matter when the defendant was interrogated at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Ikeja, and was posted on social media by an unknown person.
She said Ms Anuke saw the post and recognised his face as the same driver who sexually harassed her on December 29, 2021, inside a BRT bus.
“She decided to volunteer and speak out. She first dropped the message on her friend’s social media space. The police saw it and searched for her to ensure she was not making up the story,” stated the inspector. “She voluntarily came to speak up about her own experience to ensure that justice is done.”
However, when asked if any investigation was carried out to ascertain if the defendant was the same driver as alleged by Mr Anuke, the witness said the answer was in the case file.
When asked if she did any forensic investigation on the video camera in the bus to ascertain that Ms Anuke was actually on the bus that day, she said there was no functional camera in the buses involved in the case.
After cross-examining the witness, prosecution counsel Babajide Martins said there was no re-examination for the witness. He asked for an adjournment to present the final witness.
Justice Sherifat Sonaike adjourned the case until June 5 to continue the trial.
The Lagos government alleged that Mr Ominnikoron conspired with others at large and raped and murdered Ms Ayanwole, a fashion designer and 22-year-old bus passenger.
According to the government, the assault and murder occurred on February 26, 2022.
It alleged that the defendant had sexual intercourse with Ayanwole without her consent and murdered her between Lekki-Ajah Expressway and Carter Bridge, both in Lagos State, at 7:00 p.m.
It also alleged that the defendant and others at large threw Ms Ayanwole out of a moving BRT between Lekki-Ajah Expressway and Cater Bridge. The prosecution also said the defendant, on November 25, 2021, raped a 29-year-old Maryjane Odezulu at the Ajah Conservation Centre on Lekki-Ajah Expressway.
It alleged that the defendant sexually harassed Ms Anuke on the Ketu-Oshodi axis of Lagos on December 29, 2021.
(NAN)
