More than three years after the tragic murder of Oluwabamise Ayanwola, a young fashion designer whose death shocked Lagos and the nation at large, justice has finally been served.
The Lagos State High Court, sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square annex, on Friday, sentenced Andrew Ominikoron, a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver, to death by hanging after finding him guilty of rape and murder.
Mr Ominikoron was convicted on a five-count charge, which included one count of murder, two counts of rape, and two counts of conspiracy. He had pleaded not guilty when first arraigned in March 2022.
The verdict brings a long-awaited sense of closure to Ms Bamise’s grieving family and many members of the public who have followed the case closely and called for justice while Mr Ominikoron awaits execution.
Group reacts, demands swift execution
Reacting to the judgement, the Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Advocates for Children and Vulnerable Persons Network (ACVPN), Ebenezer Omejalile, commended the court for the ruling but stressed that the real justice lies in prompt implementation.
“Justice has finally been served on a dangerous predator, and we commend the court for this landmark ruling. However, we cannot truly rejoice yet. The road to actual execution is often long and riddled with appeals that may be used to buy time. In some cases, the death penalty is even commuted to life imprisonment, all of which delay justice.
“We’ve seen in the past how some state governors refused to sign death warrants, claiming they didn’t want blood on their hands. But the law must be allowed to take its full course. This ruling is a major victory for the late Ms Bamise and her family, and it should send a strong message to other predators lurking in our society.
Mr Omejalile called for implementation of the judgement without delay. “There should be no room for romancing the truth. Any hesitation or deviation from the ruling will only damage the integrity of Nigeria’s criminal justice system,” he said.
What happened to Bamise?
Ms Bamise, just 22-year-old at the time, was last seen alive on 26 February, 2022. She had boarded a BRT bus driven by Mr Ominikoron from Chevron bus stop on the Lekki-Ajah expressway, headed to Oshodi.
She never made it to her destination, as her lifeless body was discovered days later by the roadside on Carter bridge by Ogogoro community, Lagos Island.
The gruesome news sent shockwaves through Lagos and beyond, sparking fear and renewed scrutiny over the safety of public transport in the state and the country at large. commercial capital.
Other charges
As investigations unfolded, more harrowing stories emerged before the court that Mr Ominikoron had also sexually assaulted two other women under similar circumstances.
One of them was Anosike Victoria, a medical doctor. The other victim, Maryland Ojiezelu, also testified during the trial.
The court proceedings featured detailed accounts from the victims, police officers, medical personnel, and forensic experts. CCTV footage, mobile phone records, and medical reports provided compelling evidence linking Mr Ominikoron directly to the crimes.
You shall be hanged by the neck – Justice Sonaike
Delivering her judgment on Friday, Justice Sherifat Sonaike declared that Mr Ominikoron was guilty beyond reasonable doubt. She sentenced him to death by hanging after compelling evidence linked him to Ms Bamise’s tragic death.
“For the death of Oluwabamise Ayanwola, you shall be hanged by the neck until you are dead. May God have mercy on your soul.”
Justice Sonaike described the evidence brought before the court as “credible, consistent, and compelling.” She stated that Mr Ominikoron had abused his role as a BRT driver to target and harm vulnerable female passengers.