Justice was served today at the Lagos State High Court in Tafawa Balewa Square as Andrew Nice Ominikoron, a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver, was sentenced to death by hanging for the rape and murder of 22-year-old Bamise Ayanwola, a fashion designer whose tragic death shook the nation in 2022.
The presiding judge, Hon. Justice Sherifat Sonaike, delivered the judgment after finding Ominikoron guilty on multiple counts, including rape, murder, and interference with a corpse. The court held that the prosecution presented overwhelming evidence that Ominikoron raped and killed the victim after luring her into an unregistered BRT vehicle on February 26, 2022.
During the trial, the court heard how Bamise, who had boarded the BRT bus from Chevron Bus Stop en route to Oshodi, became alarmed by the driver's suspicious behavior and sent voice notes to a friend before she was allegedly assaulted and later found dead.
Justice Sonaike described the crime as “wicked, senseless, and brutal,” and emphasized that the defendant had grossly abused his position of trust and endangered public confidence in the BRT system.
This judgment comes after months of nationwide outrage and calls for systemic reform in Nigeria’s public transport safety. Women's rights advocates, civil society organizations, and members of the public have hailed the ruling as a landmark moment in the fight against gender-based violence and impunity.
The Lagos State Government reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening safety protocols across public transport systems and ensuring that justice remains swift and impartial.