The trial of a Bus Rapid Transit, BRT driver, Andrew Ominnikoron, who allegedly raped and murdered a 22-year-old fashion designer, Oluwabamise Ayanwole, was, today, stalled due to the ban of commercial motorcycles popularly known as okada.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State had, on May 18, announced a total ban on the operations of okada in six local government areas in the state with effect from June 1 (today)
Following the development and the planned protest by the Okada riders, the Controller of Prisons, Adebisi Adewale, directed a temporary suspension of conveying inmates to various courts in the state due to intelligence and security reports of possible breakdown of law and order during the protest.
At the resumed hearing of the case before Justice Sherifat Sonaike of the Lagos High Court, sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square, the defendant was not produced.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr Babajide Martins, after announcing his appearance, informed the court that the prisons service did not bring the inmates to court due to security reasons over the Okada ban.
“However, we have three witnesses in court.
“The second prosecution witness (PW2), who needs to finish giving his evidence, and two other witnesses are in court. I humbly request that today’s date be vacated and adjourned to other dates that have already been fixed.”
The defendant’s counsel, Abayomi Omotubora, was not present in court.
Justice Sonaike, subsequently adjourned the case to June 7 and 9, for the continuation of trial.
By Wahab Akinlade
