The Lagos State Ministry of Justice has once again promised to ensure justice for 21 years old Ms Oluwabamishe Ayanwole, who was kidnapped in a BRT in the state, later raped, killed and her corpse dumped by the Expressway on the 7th of March 2022.
In a statement signed by Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, T.K. Shitta-Bey (MS), the government reiterated that it would, through the Ministry of Justice, leave no stone unturned in ensuring the diligent prosecution of the defendant- Andrew Nice Ominikoron.
The statement reads: “Towards fulfilling this obligation, the defendant was arrested by the Police on the 7th of March, 2022. A five-count charge, which includes the offences of murder, rape, conspiracy to commit a felony and sexual assault, was preferred against the defendant and he has since been arraigned before Justice Sherifat Sonaike of the High Court of Lagos State on the 22nd of March 2022.”
According to the statement, in the proof of evidence, the State lined up nine witnesses to testify. The trial commenced on the 9th of May, 2022 and from the time of arraignment till date, the case has come up 11 times. The State has called seven witnesses with 13 exhibits tendered.
“PW7 whose examination-in-chief was concluded on the 31st day of October 2022 is now being cross-examined by defence counsel and the case stands adjourned till the 5th of December, 2022 for the continuation of trial. The matter is being personally handled by the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, supported by the Director for Public Prosecution (DPP) and a team of lawyers from the office of the DPP in demonstration of the importance and priority given to the case by the State. The family of Oluwabamishe Ayanwole is represented by Mr. Adeshina Ogunlana or counsel from his chambers. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch, also sends a legal team to observe the proceedings. Remarkable progress has been made in the matter and the State has demonstrated its readiness and determination to ensure the matter is prosecuted to its logical conclusion by ensuring that all its witnesses are available and ready to testify. Between the date of arraignment (March 2022) and till date, 7 witnesses out of 9 have testified. The family of the deceased, as well as members of the public, are hereby assured that the trial of the Defendant is ongoing and the Lagos State government will not relent in its effort to ensure that justice is speedily served in the case,” said Shitta-Bey.
