NIGERIA: BRT DRIVER SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR BAMISE’S MURDER

May 8, 2025:

Justice Sherifat Sonaike of the Lagos State High Court on May 2, 2025 sentenced Bus Rapid Transit driver, Andrew Ominikoron, to death by hanging for the murder of 22-year-old Oluwabamise Ayanwola.
Ominikoron was arraigned on a five-count charge bordering on murder, conspiracy, and rape, in connection with the death of Ayanwola, as well as the sexual assault of Dr. Anosike Victoria and the rape of one Nneka Udezulu.
Delivering judgment on May 2, Justice Sonaike ruled that the Lagos State Government, which prosecuted the case, had successfully proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
“For the death of Oluwabamise Ayanwola, you will be hanged by the neck until you are dead. May God have mercy upon you,” the judge declared in her pronouncement.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The convict was tried on a five-count charge, including conspiracy, rape, murder, and sexual assault, brought against him by the Lagos State Government.
According to the charges, the incident occurred on February 26, 2022, around 7 pm, near the Lekki-Ajah Conservation Centre, Lekki-Ajah Expressway, Lagos.
The prosecution said that Ominikoron had forcibly had sexual intercourse with Oluwabamise Ayanwole before murdering her.
The offences contravened Sections 411, 223, 260, and 165 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Bamise was last seen on February 26, 2022, after she boarded a BRT bus driven by Ominikoron in the Ajah area of Lagos.
Her disappearance triggered widespread outrage and a city-wide search.
Her body was discovered nine days later on Carter Bridge, Lagos Island.
Justice Sonaike found Ominikoron guilty of murder, multiple sexual offences, including rape, attempted rape, and sexual assault.
Justice Sonaike found Ominikoron guilty of raping one Nneka Udezulu, and sexually assaulting one Dr Victoria Anosike, who boarded his bus some other times.
Sonaike said, “On count one which is offence of raping Nneka Udezulu, Ominikoron, is sentenced to life imprisonment. For count three, attempted rape of Anyawola, you are sentenced to 14 years imprisonment. For count five, offence of sexual assault on Dr Victoria Anosike, you are sentenced to three years imprisonment.
“For count four which is the offence of murder of Oluwabamise Ayanwola. Having been found guilty of murder, a capital offence pursuant to Section 301 of the Administrative of Criminal Justice Law, the defendant is hereby sentenced to death.
During the trial, the State called 11 witnesses who testified against the convict.
The convict who opened his defence on October 17, 2024, denied raping nor killing Oluwabamise.