A Lagos High Court, sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square annex, has sentenced Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver, Andrew Nice Ominikoron, to death by hanging for the murder of 22-year-old fashion designer, Oluwabamise Ayanwola.
Justice Sherifat Sonaike delivered the judgment on Friday after finding Ominikoron guilty of multiple charges, including murder and sexual assault. The court held that the prosecution, representing the Lagos State Government, successfully established its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Ominikoron had faced a five-count charge involving the murder of Ayanwola, the rape of one Maryland Ojiezelu, and the sexual assault of Dr. Anosike Victoria. Despite pleading not guilty to all allegations, the evidence presented led to his conviction.
In delivering the sentence, 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 tragic case began in February 2022 when Ayanwola boarded a BRT bus operated by Ominikoron and later went missing. Her body was discovered days later, prompting widespread public outrage and calls for justice.
