Bamise: Family makes fresh demand after court orders BRT driver’s execution

The family of Oluwabamise Ayanwola, who was murdered by a Bus Rapid Transit driver, Andrew Ominikoron, has called on the government to arrest all accomplices involved in their daughter’s death.

Justice Sherifat Sonaike of a Lagos State High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square on Friday convicted and sentenced Ominikoron to death by hanging for Ayanwola’s death.

Ayanwola disappeared on February 26, 2022, after boarding Ominikoron’s BRT bus in the Ajah area of Lagos.

Her disappearance triggered widespread outrage and a city-wide search.

Nine days later, her body was discovered on Carter Bridge, Lagos Island.

Ominikoron was later arrested and charged to court on a five-count charge of conspiracy, rape, murder, and sexual assault by the Lagos State Government.

During the trial, the state called 11 witnesses who testified against the convict.

The convict who opened his defence on October 17, 2024, denied raping nor killing Oluwabamise.

However, Justice Sonaike found Ominikoron guilty of murder, multiple sexual offences, including rape, attempted rape, and sexual assault.

According to the judge, the prosecution through its witnesses, proved that the act of the defendant (Ominikoron) caused the death of the deceased (Ayanwola).

The judge ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Justice Sonaike found Ominikoron guilty of raping one Nneka Udezulu, and sexually assaulting one Dr Victoria Anosike, who boarded his bus some other times.

Sonaike said, “On count one which is offence of raping Nneka Udezulu, Ominikoron, is sentenced to life imprisonment. For count three, attempted rape of Anyawola, you are sentenced to 14 years imprisonment. For count five, offence of sexual assault on Dr Victoria Anosike, you are sentenced to three years imprisonment.

“For count four which is the offence of murder of Oluwabamise Ayanwola. Having been found guilty of murder, a capital offence pursuant to Section 301 of the Administrative of Criminal Justice Law, the defendant is hereby sentenced to death.

You will be hanged by the neck until you are dead. May God have mercy on your soul,” she held.

She said the voice recording of the deceased which she sent to her friend while inside the defendant’s bus, would be admitted as a dying declaration.

The judge said that the deceased’s voice recording was made when she felt she was in imminent danger due to the behaviour of the defendant.

She said the message, made while the victim sensed danger, revealed the defendant’s pattern of targeting vulnerable female passengers.

“All the circumstantial evidence, including the defendant’s attempt to flee to a remote village and his failure to report the incident, demonstrates a guilty mind,” the judge said.

Justice Sonaike described Ominikoron as a serial rapist, stating that his actions showed a clear pattern of luring unsuspecting passengers to isolated locations and sexually assaulting them.

“I find the ingredient of murder established beyond all reasonable doubt,” Sonaike held.

The judge said the convict lied throughout his defence.

Sonaike said, “The fact that the defendant committed these offences within a three-month interval shows that maybe there are more victims who, because of shame, failed to come forward.

“The defendant used his employment to rape unsuspecting passengers. This is an unforgivable crime.

“This case is an eye opener. There is a need for the government to overhaul the recruitment standard so that parents will be assured when their young girl boards a vehicle”.

Reacting to the judgement, the deceased’s elder sister, Onapemipo Damilola, called for the arrest of all those who conspired with the driver in her sister’s murder.

Damilola noted, “The accomplices in the matter should be provided.”

Praising the judge, she noted that Justice Sonaike delivered the judgment without bias, describing it as fair and commendable.

The sister said the judge, being a mother herself, understood and shared in their pain.

She noted, “The judgment was not biased. The judgment was accurate. We thank her so much. She deserves to be praised.”

When asked about possible compensation from the Lagos State Government, Damilola responded that no such offer had been made.

Damilola said, “They never talked about any compensation.”