By Esi-ife Arogundade
A Lagos State High Court at Tafawa Balewa Square has reserved judgment in the high-profile case against Andrew Ominikoron, a driver for the Lagos State Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), who faces charges of raping and murdering 22-year-old fashion designer Oluwabamise Ayanwola in 2022.
Justice Sherifat Sonaike announced that the court would deliver its judgment on May 2, 2025, following the conclusion of arguments from both the prosecution and the defense. During the proceedings, defense counsel Abayomi Omotubora contended that the prosecution had not provided sufficient evidence to establish Ominikoron’s guilt.
He pointed out that none of the testimonies from the nine witnesses called by the prosecution directly connected the defendant to Ayanwola’s death. Omotubora also challenged the validity of a voice note reportedly sent by Ayanwola to a friend before her demise, labeling it as inadmissible hearsay since the friend was not called to testify.
Additionally, he critiqued the prosecution’s reliance on the “last-seen” doctrine, arguing that mere suspicion alone cannot warrant a conviction without robust circumstantial evidence. He further emphasized that the assertion made by a prosecution witness, who claimed to be a previous victim of the defendant, needed corroboration.
The case, which has drawn significant public attention, continues to attract discussions regarding the complexities of proving guilt in criminal proceedings. The court is now set for a crucial ruling in May 2025.
