Prof. Sunday Shoyemi, a pathologist at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, revealed on Friday that a blunt force trauma to the head caused the death of Oluwabamise Ayanwole, a 22-year-old fashion designer.
The pathologist testified before a Lagos State High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square in the ongoing trial of Andrew Ominnikoron, a bus rapid transit driver.
Ominnikoron is on trial for allegedly raping and murdering Oluwabamise Ayanwole.
Shoyemi stated that after examining both Ayamwole’s external and interior bodies, he determined that her death was caused by craniocerebral damage as a result of blunt force trauma.
The witness also works as a lecturer at Lagos State University.
Dr. Babajide Martins, the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions, brought him into the witness box.
Shoyemi testified in court that the deceased’s body was embalmed prior to the autopsy.
He stated that the body was naked but that a silver-coloured ring was discovered on the deceased’s middle right finger.
Shoyemi testified that he saw a mark on the deceased’s left side of her forehead and a bruise above her right ear.
He also informed the court that he noticed a significant bruise on the deceased’s back of the skull.
“In addition, there was a bruise on the elbow region. These findings were external.
“Upon opening, I saw what we call subdural hematoma, which means bleeding into the soft tissue covering the skull or into the brain.
“This was noticed in the frontal area as well as on the back of the skull.
“At the back of the skull, there were multiple fractures, which means bone broken into two or more pieces,” Shoyemi said.
The pathologist also stated that there was a fracture on the bone above the ear.
He further disclosed that bruises were also found on both lips of the deceased.
Shoyemi, who was the ninth and last prosecution witness, said, “In the light of all the findings and the internal findings, death was ascribed to severe craniacerebral injury following a forceful blunt trauma.”
The witness also informed the court that during the autopsy, he obtained samples from the deceased’s body for identification and toxicological purposes.
He stated that the samples had been sent to a DNA forensic laboratory.
During cross-examination by defence counsel, Mr. Abayomi Omotubora, the witness informed the court that the investigating police officer gave him information on the deceased before the autopsy.
Following the cross-examination, the defendant’s attorney notified the court that he had an application pending to recall some prosecution witnesses for additional cross-examination.
In response, the prosecutor objected.
Justice Sherifat Sonaike has deferred her decision on the application until November 2.
The Lagos State Government has filed a five-count prosecution against Ominnikoron for rape, sexual assault, and murder.
According to the prosecution, Ominnikoron plotted with others currently at large to rape and murder 22-year-old Ayanwole, a passenger on the BRT he was driving.
The prosecution further claimed that the defendant had sexual relations with Ayanwole without her consent and murdered her on February 26, 2022, about 7 p.m., between the Lekki Ajah Motorway and the Carter Bridge.
The prosecution also claimed that Ayanwole was thrown off of a moving BRT between the Lekki-Ajah Motorway and the Cater Bridge by the defendant and others at large.
According to the prosecution, the charges violate Sections 411, 223, 260, and 165 of the Lagos State Criminal Law 2015.
However, the 48-year-old suspect pleaded not guilty to the accusations.
