The Lagos State Government on Tuesday arraigned Nice Andrew Omininikoron, the driver of Bus Rapid Transit vehicle which was boarded by Ayanwola Oluwabamise, the murdered 22-year-old fashion designer in Lagos.
Justice Sherifat Sonaike ordered that the accused be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre in Ikoyi.
Bamise went missing after she boarded a BRT vehicle from Chevron Bus Stop, Ajah to Oshodi around 7pm on February 26.
During the journey, the fashion designer was said to have observed that the driver was not picking up other passengers at subsequent bus stops along the route.
Disturbed, she messaged her friend and sent voice notes detailing her predicament. It was the last time her friend and family members heard from her and she was later declared missing.
She was later found dead on Carter Bridge, according to the Lagos State Police Command.
“The Lagos State Police Command regrets to inform the public that Oluwabamise Ayanwole, the 22-year-old lady who got missing in transit while on board a BRT bus on 26/2/2022 has been found dead,” Adekunle Ajisebutu, Lagos police spokesperson, had said.
“The corpse was found lying on the Carter Bridge by Ogogoro Community, Lagos Lagos Island. The corpse has been deposited at the morgue of the Mainland Hospital, Yaba, for autopsy.”
The driver of the BRT vehicle was on Tuesday morning arraigned before Justice Sherifat Sonaike on a four-count charge of conspiracy, murder, and two counts of rape.
He however pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Nice’s arraignment followed a legal advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Dr Jide Martins, recommending the prosecution of the 47-year-old.
Trial dates have been fixed for May 9, 10 and 11, 2022.
