By Prosper Mene
A Lagos State High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square has sentenced Andrew Nice Ominikoron, a former Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver, to death by hanging for the murder of 22-year-old fashion designer Oluwabamise Ayanwola. The verdict, delivered by Justice Sherifat Sonaike, brings closure to a high-profile case that sparked widespread outrage and protests across Lagos in 2022.
Ominikoron was found guilty of murder and attempted rape following a trial that revealed chilling details of his actions. On February 26, 2022, Ayanwola boarded a BRT bus driven by Ominikoron at the Ajah axis of Lagos. She was reported missing shortly after, prompting a public outcry. Nine days later, her lifeless body was discovered on Carter Bridge, Lagos Island. An eyewitness reported that Ayanwola was still alive after being thrown from the bus but could not be saved due to delayed medical attention.
The court heard how Ominikoron illegally picked up Ayanwola at the Chevron bus stop around 8 p.m. during a return trip to Oshodi. Evidence presented included a distressing voice note sent by Ayanwola to a friend, indicating she did not consent to sexual activity with the defendant. The court also considered extrajudicial statements from another victim, 29-year-old Nneka Maryjane Ozezulu, who testified that Ominikoron raped her on November 25, 2021, revealing a pattern of predatory behavior.
While medical reports did not confirm penetration or emission in Ayanwola’s case, the court found Ominikoron guilty of attempted rape and murder, citing the voice note and witness testimonies as compelling evidence. Justice Sonaike declared, “For the death of Oluwabamise Ayanwola, you will be hanged by the neck until you are dead. May God have mercy upon you.”
The ruling has been met with mixed reactions. Advocacy groups, which had called for reforms in BRT operations, including CCTV installation and stricter background checks for drivers, hailed the verdict as a step toward justice. However, some expressed concerns over the death penalty, advocating for systemic changes to prevent such tragedies.
Ayanwola’s death in 2022 ignited nationwide protests, with citizens demanding improved safety measures in public transportation. The case exposed vulnerabilities faced by women in urban settings and prompted Lagos authorities to pledge enhanced security protocols.
Ominikoron, arrested by the Department of State Services in 2022, showed no visible emotion as the sentence was read. Moments after the ruling, he was escorted out of the courtroom under heavy security, marking the end of a trial closely followed by Nigerians.
The Lagos State government has yet to comment on the verdict, but the case is likely to reignite discussions on public safety and judicial reforms. For now, the memory of Oluwabamise Ayanwola serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance and accountability in Nigeria’s public
