Andrew Nice Ominikoron, a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver, has been sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of 22-year-old fashion designer Oluwabamise Ayanwola. The ruling was made by Justice Sherifat Sonaike at the Lagos State High Court in Tafawa Balewa Square on Friday, after the prosecution successfully proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Ominikoron was found guilty of murder and attempted rape, with the judge stating, “For the death of Oluwabamise Ayanwola, you will be hanged by the neck until you are dead. May God have mercy on your soul.”
The tragic incident took place on February 26, 2022, when Bamise boarded a BRT bus driven by Ominikoron in Lekki. Shortly after, she went missing, and her body was discovered days later on Carter Bridge, sparking national outrage and raising concerns about the safety of commuters in Lagos.
During the trial, another victim testified that Ominikoron had raped her on a BRT bus in November 2021. While the court found insufficient evidence to convict him of rape in Bamise’s case, Ominikoron was convicted of attempted rape based on supporting testimony and circumstantial evidence.
The sentence serves as a significant step toward justice for Bamise and her family, while highlighting the pressing need for improved safety measures in public transportation.
