The trial of the prime murder suspect in the death of Oluwabamise (Bamise) Ayonwola has started at the Lagos High Court at Tafawa Balewa Square.
The suspect, a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver, Andrew Nice Omininikoron is facing a four-count charge of kidnapping, raping, and murder of the 22-year-old fashion designer, Bamise.
Bamise went missing on 26 February, after boarding a BRT being driven by Mr. Nice at Chevron in Lekki, Lagos.
She seemed uneasy on the bus because the lights were out and the driver didn’t stop at bus stops to pick up other passengers.
This prompted her to send a video message to her friend, telling her what bus she was on and narrating her suspicions.
It was the friend who raised an alarm after Bamise didn’t make it home, leading to the hashtag, #JusticeforBamise on Twitter.
Bamise was later found dead on a bridge after she was allegedly raped and thrown off the bus.
Mr. Nice is suspected of carrying out the act with the help of accomplices who are yet to be apprehended.
The voice notes that transpired between Bamise and her friend while she was in the BRT 💔💔#JusticeForBamise #JusticeForBamise #JusticeForBamise pic.twitter.com/ZEqVEdpE2z
— Temitope (@Temiyardpipu) March 8, 2022
At the trial on Monday, the lead prosecutor and Lagos State Attorney General, Moyosore Onigbanjo prayed the court for a temporal stand-down of the case to await the arrival of Andrew Nice’s lawyer, IK Ekwemen.
The request was granted by Justice Serifat Sonaike.
Also present in court is the lawyer representing Bamise’s family, Adesina Ogunlana, and the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution, Babatunde Martins.
Nigeria Info will bring you the details of today’s proceeding later.
