Professor of Pathology, Sunday Shoyemi, says blunt force trauma was cause of death of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) rape victim, Miss Oluwabamise Ayanwole.
Shoyemi, a pathologist at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), was the ninth and last prosecuting witness while giving evidence before the Lagos State High Court at Tafawa Balewa Square, said the 22-year-old fashion designer, Oluwabamise, who was alleged to have been raped and killed by a BRT driver, Andrew Nice Ominnikoron.
Shoyemi said that, in the light of his findings, Oluwabamise died as a result of severe craniocerebral injury following a blunt force trauma.
Ominnikoron is facing five counts bordering on felony, sexual assault, rape, conspiracy and murder before Justice Sherifat Sonaike.
When the Director of Public Prosecution, Dr. Babajide Martins, called the witness, Prof. Shoyemi told the court how the autopsy was conducted. In his explanation, he said the corpse had no clothing but a silver colored ring was found on her (Oluwabamise) middle finger.
Prof Shoyemi said he observed a bruise on the left side of her forehead, another on the right temple just above her ear and a large bruise on the back of her skull. In addition, there was a bruise on the elbow region.
All these findings, according to the pathologist are all on the external appearance of the deceased while and these observations were prior to when the autopsy was conducted.
Prof Shoyemi said upon opening up, there’s what experts called Subdural hematoma, which means bleeding into the soft tissue covering the skull or bleeding into the brain. This was noticed on the frontal area as well as the back of the skull. Again, there was fracture of the temporal bone, meaning the bone above the ear.
Prof Shoyemi said he checked for deep bruising, meaning the bruises we will not be able to see under the skin unless it is removed. These deep bruises were found on both lower lips. The organs were essentially normal except the right ovary which has a cyst (Fluid Collection). Yhis according to him, was an incidental finding which has nothing to do with death.
Also, tiny samples were taken from all the organs and were sent to the laboratories. The samples were looked at under the microscope and no remarkable findings was seen.
Explaining that he specifically took samples of the breast and uterus to check for pregnancy but nothing was found. In the light of both the external and internal findings, death was ascribed to severe craniocerebral injury, following a blunt force trauma.
Prof. Shoyemi also told the court that, during the examination, he took samples from the deceased for the purpose of identification while adding that another sample was taken for toxicology, which has also been sent to the Lagos State DNA forensic Lab.
He clarified that the interim report had been given to the Investigating Police Officer, CSP Oseni, the head of homicide, State Criminal Investigation Department SCID, Panti, who was also present during the autopsy and gave the full report to the DPP.
While being cross-examined by Abayomi Omotubora, the defense counsel, the witness confirmed to the court that the IPO provided all the information about the deceased before the autopsy was conducted.
He clarified that the information provided by the IPO does not form the basis of the cause of death of Bamise.
After the cross-examination, Mr. Omotubora called the attention of the court on a pending application dated 21st of September 2023, to recall some of the prosecuting witnesses. This is because there is a pending application to recall some of the Prosecution witnesses for the purpose of further cross-examination by the defence.
In his response to the defense, Dr. Babajide Martins opposed the application to recall the witnesses.
After listening to the argument of both counsels, Justice Sonaike reserved her ruling for 2nd of November, 2023 and continuation of trial.
