Court sentences Lagos BRT driver to death by hanging for killing Bamise

The Lagos state high court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square has sentenced Andrew Nice Ominikoron, a driver of Lagos bus rapid transit (BRT), to death by hanging for killing Bamise Ayanwola, a 22-year-old fashion designer.

Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Sherifat Sonaike held that the prosecution successfully proved its case, relying on the doctrine of “last seen” and the victim’s dying declaration to establish Ominikoron’s guilt.

Ominikoron was arraigned on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit felony, rape, murder, and sexual assault.

Bamise was last seen on February 26, 2022, after boarding a BRT bus driven by Ominikoron at the Ajah axis of Lagos. Her disappearance sparked public outrage and a widespread search.

Nine days later, her lifeless body was found on Carter Bridge in Lagos Island.