Just in: Court sentences BRT driver to death for murder of passenger Bamise Ayanwola

The Lagos State High Court has sentenced Andrew Nice Ominikoron, a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver, to death by hanging for the gruesome murder of 22-year-old fashion designer, Bamise Ayanwola.

Justice Sherifat Sonaike delivered the judgment on Tuesday, bringing to a close a high-profile case that had gripped national attention since March 2022, when Bamise’s disappearance and subsequent death sparked outrage across the country.

Ominikoron was found guilty of multiple charges, including rape and murder, following a lengthy trial that revealed chilling details about the final moments of the young woman’s life.

According to court proceedings, Bamise had boarded the BRT bus driven by Ominikoron at Chevron Bus Stop on February 26, 2022, around 7 p.m. She was en route to meet a friend at Oshodi.

Evidence presented during the trial showed that the driver diverted the bus route and assaulted her.

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Her lifeless body was discovered days later on the Carter Bridge in Lagos Island, prompting a massive public outcry and calls for justice.

The court found that Ominikoron acted with clear intent and premeditation, violating his duty of care as a public transport driver and betraying public trust.

In her ruling, Justice Sonaike described the crime as “heinous, calculated, and devoid of humanity,” stating that the only fitting punishment under the law was the maximum sentence.

“The court finds you guilty as charged. You are hereby sentenced to death by hanging,” the judge declared.

The sentencing has been met with a mixture of relief and sorrow by the Ayanwola family and human rights advocates, who had long demanded accountability for Bamise’s death. Her case had ignited protests in Lagos and spurred calls for better safety measures for women using public transportation.

The Lagos State government, in response to public pressure at the time of the incident, had promised reforms to improve security within the BRT system. Among the changes were the installation of surveillance cameras and stricter driver vetting processes.

Ominikoron’s conviction marks a significant moment in Nigeria’s fight against gender-based violence and public insecurity.

Legal observers have noted that the judgment could serve as a deterrent to others and a reminder of the need for vigilance in safeguarding the lives of citizens using public infrastructure.