A Lagos State High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square has sentenced 47-year-old Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver, Andrew Ominikoron, to death by hanging for the brutal rape and murder of 22-year-old fashion designer, Bamise Ayanwola.
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Sherifat Sonaike found Ominikoron guilty on multiple counts including rape, conspiracy to commit sexual assault, and murder. The judge ruled that the prosecution presented sufficient evidence to prove that the defendant lured the victim, assaulted her, and ended her life in cold blood.
The tragic incident took place on February 26, 2022, around 7 p.m. near the Lekki-Ajah Conservation Expressway in Lagos. According to court records, Ominikoron conspired with unidentified individuals still at large to commit the heinous act. He forcefully had sexual intercourse with Bamise inside the BRT bus before murdering her and dumping her lifeless body.
The Lagos State Government initially arraigned Ominikoron in March 2022 on a four-count charge involving rape, conspiracy, sexual assault, and murder. During his trial, he pleaded not guilty to all charges.
However, in a dramatic turn during his testimony, Ominikoron admitted to picking up the young woman illegally at the Chevron bus stop along the Ajah-Oshodi route after dropping off other passengers. He claimed the act was against BRT operational guidelines but denied assaulting or murdering her.
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Despite his defense, the court held that the chain of evidence, witness testimonies, and forensic findings all pointed to his guilt. The judge stated that his actions showed a “deliberate and calculated attempt to violate and silence the victim permanently.”
The sentencing marks a significant moment in Lagos State’s ongoing efforts to ensure justice for victims of gender-based violence. Bamise’s death had earlier sparked public outrage and calls for improved safety measures in public transport systems.
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Her family, who had attended each hearing since the case began, expressed a mix of relief and sorrow at the judgment. “Justice has finally been served, but it doesn’t bring our daughter back,” her mother tearfully stated outside the courtroom.
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This landmark judgment serves as a stern warning to perpetrators of sexual violence and reinforces the judiciary’s resolve to protect the rights and lives of every citizen, especially women and young girls.
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