In a long-awaited verdict that stirred emotions across the nation, a Lagos High Court on Friday sentenced Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver Andrew Nice Ominnikoron to death by hanging for the rape and murder of 22-year-old fashion designer Oluwabamise Ayanwola.
Justice Sherifat Sonaike of the Lagos State High Court at Tafawa Balewa Square delivered the judgment, bringing closure to a case that had gripped Nigeria since February 2022.
Bamise boarded the BRT bus at the Chevron Bus Stop in Ajah on February 26, 2022. Disturbed by the driver’s behavior, she sent voice notes and messages to her friend, raising alarms. She was later found dead on Carter Bridge, Lagos Island, nine days after she went missing.
Ominnikoron was arrested after fleeing to Ogun State and was charged with four counts, including rape, conspiracy, and murder. The court relied on compelling evidence, including Bamise’s last messages and witness testimonies, to reach its decision.
Bamise’s death sparked widespread outrage, protests, and a national conversation about the safety of women in public spaces. Her family, who have consistently demanded accountability, expressed mixed feelings—relieved at the verdict but still mourning an unimaginable loss.
Justice Sonaike stated that the prosecution had “proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.” The court’s decision serves as a landmark moment in the fight for justice for victims of gender-based violence in Nigeria.
