Justice Sherifat Sonaike of the Lagos State High Court, sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square Annexe, has sentenced Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver, Andrew Ominikoron, to death by hanging for the murder of 22-year-old Bamise 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 Maryland Ojiezelu.
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Sonaike held 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.
Although he pleaded not guilty to all charges, the court found him guilty and sentenced him accordingly.
The charges against him included conspiracy, rape, murder, and sexual assault, all brought by the Lagos State Government.
According to the charges, the incident took place on February 26, 2022, around 7 p.m., near the Lekki-Ajah Conservation Centre, along the Lekki-Ajah Expressway in Lagos.
The prosecution stated that Ominikoron forcibly had sexual intercourse with Oluwabamise Ayanwola before murdering her.
The offences were said to be in contravention of Sections 411, 223, 260, and 165 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Bamise was last seen alive on February 26, 2022, after boarding a BRT bus driven by Ominikoron in the Ajah area of Lagos. Her disappearance triggered widespread outrage and led to a city-wide search. Her body was eventually discovered nine days later on Carter Bridge, Lagos Island.
During the trial, the state called a total of 11 witnesses who testified against the convict.
Ominikoron, who opened his defence on October 17, 2024, denied raping or killing Oluwabamise.
Led in his defence by his counsel, Abayomi Omotubora, the convict told the court that he picked the late Bamise at Chevron, and at Agungi, he picked up three male passengers.
According to him, one of the male passengers came forward, and he assumed it was to pay the fare, but instead, the passenger threw something at his head and showed him a gun, asking him to cooperate.
