Andrew Ominikoron, a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver in Lagos, has been sentenced to death by hanging for the rape and murder of 22-year-old Oluwabamise Ayanwola, following a high-profile trial that gripped national attention.
Summary of the Case:
- Incident Date: February 26, 2022
- Victim: Oluwabamise Ayanwola, a young fashion designer
- Location: She boarded the BRT bus near the Lekki-Ajah Conservation Centre around 7 PM
- Discovery: Her body was found nine days later under suspicious circumstances on Carter Bridge, Lagos Island
Prosecution’s Case:
The Lagos State Government filed a five-count charge against Ominikoron, including:
- Conspiracy to commit felony
- Rape
- Murder
- Sexual assault
- Other related offences
The prosecution presented 11 witnesses, including victims and experts, asserting that:
- Ominikoron forcibly raped Oluwabamise in the BRT bus
- He murdered her and attempted to cover up the crime
- He was also accused of assaulting other women in separate incidents
Ominikoron’s Defense:
In his testimony, Ominikoron claimed:
- He was not responsible for her death
- Three armed male passengers he picked up after Bamise hijacked the situation
- One of them struck him and held him at gunpoint, forcing him to comply with their instructions
His legal team, led by Abayomi Omotubora, argued that Ominikoron was a victim of circumstance, not the perpetrator.
The Verdict:
Presiding judge, Justice Sherifat Sonaike, dismissed the defendant’s narrative, declaring that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. She convicted him and pronounced the sentence:
“For the death of Oluwabamise Ayanwola, you will be hanged by the neck until you are dead. May God have mercy on your soul.”
Public Reaction:
The case had previously sparked nationwide outrage, protests, and calls for justice due to concerns over public safety on state-run transportation systems.
