Lagos, Nigeria – The ongoing trial of Andrew Nice Ominnikoron, accused of murdering Bamise Ayanwola inside a BRT bus in February 26, 2022, has taken a new turn as the defence counsel failed to appear in court.
According to the Lagos State Chairman, Committee for Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Kehinde Adeoye, the case, Lagos State Government vs Andrew Nice Ominnikoron, began at 9:10 am, but the defence counsel was nowhere to be found.
When the case was finally called at 11:05 am, the presiding judge, Hon. Justice S. I. Sonaike, expressed disappointment at the defence counsel’s absence.
The judge asked if the defence counsel had served the prosecuting team and filed their written address, to which the prosecuting counsel replied in the negative.
Justice Sonaike warned that if the defence team fails to file their written address by the next court sitting, she would deliver her judgement.
The court subsequently fixed Monday, February 10, 2025, for the adoption of final addresses and urged the prosecuting team to communicate the date to the defence team.
This development is the latest in the ongoing trial, which has been marked by repeated absences of the defence counsel.
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