How bus conductor deliberately stabbed sex worker to death in Lagos over price - Police witness tells court

A police prosecution witness, Inspector Jola Oso, who investigated the murder of a 28-year-old sex worker, Elochukwu Solomon, in Lagos State, has told the court how she was killed by a bus conductor, Babatunde Oluwadamilare. 

Testifying before Justice Adesanya, of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Tafawa Balewa Square on Thursday, June 1, 2023, Inspector Oso, said the 23-year-old defendant deliberately stabbed the deceased with a knife. 

The witness, who was led in evidence-in-chief by the state prosecuting counsel, Olayemi Shofolu, said the defendant made a statement saying that he had an agreement to pay the late Solomon N2,000, but that it was after he had sex with her that the deceased said she was no longer collecting N2, 000 but N8, 000.

‘’The defendant said it was the deceased that first held his clothes before he saw a kitchen knife, and that immediately he saw the knife, he took it and stabbed the deceased,” the witness said.

When asked for his conclusion on the case, Oso said, “I found out that the deceased was 28 years old and was also a woman and Babatunde would have overpowered her and does not need to use any weapon.''

“I am saying that the defendant killed the deceased intentionally," the Inspector added.  

Justice Adesanya adjourned the case till June 6 for the continuation of trial. 

Oluwadamilare was arraigned on March 6, 2023. 

He is standing trial on a count charge of murder.

The prosecutor told the court that the incident happened on November 6, 2019, around 11pm at No 17, Empire Road, the Surulere area of the state.