A Lagos State High Court in Tafawa Balewa Square has adjourned the trial of a Lagos State Bus Rapid Transport, driver Andrew  Ominikoron, accused of allegedly raping and murdering a 22-year-old fashion designer Oluwabamise Ayanwole, to March 3, 2025, for the adoption of final written address.

The trial judge, Justice Sherifat Sonaike, fixed the date following the absence of the defence counsel, Mr Abayomi Omotubora.

On the last adjourned date on January 30, 2025, the court had also adjourned the case till February 10, 2025, for the adoption of the final written address.

On November 29, 2024, the court adjourned the case in the instance of Omotubora, who was absent on the grounds of ill health.

When the case came up again on Monday, Omotubora was again absent which prompted the court to further adjourn the case till March 3, 2025.

Ominikoron is facing four counts bordering on conspiracy, rape, and murder preferred against him by the Lagos State Government.

He was arraigned in March 2022 before the court over the alleged rape and murder of his passenger on February 26, 2022, at the Lekki-Ajah Conservation Expressway.

The prosecution told the court that Ominnikoron conspired with others now at large to rape and murder his 22-year-old passenger.

The prosecution said that the defendant had sexual intercourse with Ayanwole, without her consent, and murdered her at about 7 p.m. between Lekki Ajah Expressway and Carter Bridge, on February 26, 2022.

The defendant and others now at large on February 26, 2022, unlawfully killed one Ayanwole by throwing her out of a moving bus between Lekki- Ajah Expressway and Carter Bridge.

According to the prosecution, the offences committed contravened Sections 411, 223, 260, and 165 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

However, Ominnikoron pleaded not guilty, to the charges against him.

Ahead of the November 8, 2025 Anambra State governorship election, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has released the schedule of activities and timetable for the exercise.

Consequently, the party will begin the sale of expression of interest, nomination and delegate forms next week Monday, February 10, till the February 25.

The schedule of activities and timetable posted on the party’s X (formerly Twitter) handle showed that screening of governorship aspirants who have obtained the forms will be on March 7 and results of the screening will be published on March 10 while screening appeal is slated between March 11 and 12.

According to the schedule, primary election comes up on April 5, election appeal will be between April 6 and 7 while congress to ratify the result of the gubernatorial primary election will take place on April 6.

The party pegged the expression of interest form at N10 million price and nomination form at N40 million, totaling N50 million while delegate form stood at N5,000.

However, female aspirants and persons with disabilities (PWDs) are to purchase only the expression of interest form as nomination form is free for them while youths between ages 25 and 40 years have 50 per cent discount for the nomination form after purchasing expression of interest form.

“In compliance with the relevant sections of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Electoral Act, the All Progressives Congress, hereby makes public its Timetable and Schedule of Activities leading to the 8th November, 2025, gubernatorial election in Anambra state, as released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),” the post read.