A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, on Tuesday, applauded the Governor Sanwo-Olu government over the arraignment of a Bus Rapid Transport driver, Andrew Omininikoron, a prime suspect in the gruesome murder of a passenger, Bamise Ayanwola.
The senior lawyer, in a statement, also asked the government to apologise to the family of the deceased and pay them N100m compensation.
A Lagos State High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square had fixed May 9, for the commencement of the trial of Omininikoro after the Lagos government arraigned the driver on four counts bordering on rape, conspiracy and murder of his passenger, Ayanwola.
The Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution, Jide Martins, also told Justice Sherifat Sonaike, that on November 25, 2021, the defendant allegedly raped a 29-year-old lady, Nneka Ozezulu, without her consent.
He said that the incident took place about 7 pm, at the Lekki- Ajah Conservation centre off the Lekki Ajah expressway in Lagos.
The DPP also told the court that Ayanwola conspired with others (now at large) and forcibly had sexual intercourse with his 22-year-old Ayanwola, without her consent after which he murdered her.
Martins said the rape incident happened on February 25, 2022, at about 8 pm, on the Lekki-Ajah Conservation expressway.
He said that the defendant and others still at large on February 26, 2022, unlawfully killed Ayanwola by throwing her out of a moving bus at Carter bridge after raping her.
According to the prosecutor, the offences committed is contrary to and punishable under Sections 411, 223, 260 and 165 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
The judge subsequently ordered that the defendant be further remanded at the Ikoyi prison and adjourned the case to May 9, 10 and 11, 2022 for commencement of trial.
Reacting in a statement titled, ‘Re: Rape and Murder of Bamisile’, Adegboruwa said, “The Lagos State Government today fulfilled its promise to prosecute the driver of its BRT Bus that was alleged to have raped and killed Miss Bamisile. The driver was arraigned before the High Court of Lagos State on criminal charges of rape and murder. The poor lady was said to have been raped inside the BRT bus and then thrown out whilst the bus was in motion.
“I commend the Governor of Lagos State and the Honourable Attorney-General of the State, for the speed with which they have handled this matter so far. The quality of legal representation, through the well-experienced Director of Public Prosecution, Dr Babajide Martins, is a testimony of the commitment of the government to do justice to the case. This is how it should be done, in all cases where the lives of citizens have become endangered.
“However, and in the light of the evidence available that the facility (bus) and employee (driver) of the government were deployed to commit the crime, it is necessary for the Lagos State Government to reach out to the family of the deceased, first to offer an apology and give healing to the grieving parents and siblings and then secondly, to offer adequate compensation (not less than N100,000,000:00), to the family. Without this, there will continue to be a missing gap.
“Furthermore, I do humbly urge His Excellency the Governor of Lagos State to fulfil his promise to equip all public transport buses with infrastructure and facilities that will enhance the security of all passengers.
“I commend all the good people of Nigeria who have kept on the pressure for justice in this case, especially the civil society organizations and the media.”
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