A Lagos State High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square has sentenced Lagos Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver, Andrew Nice Ominikoron, to death by hanging for the murder of 22-year-old fashion designer, Bamise Ayanwola.

Delivering the judgment, Justice Sherifat Sonaike convicted Ominikoron on multiple charges, including murd£r, rape, and sexual assāult, following a high-profile trial that has gripped public attention since 2022.

The judge’s declaration was unequivocal: “For the d£ath of Oluwabamise Ayanwola, you shall be hānged by the neck until you are d£ad. May God have mercy on your soul.”

Ominikoron had faced a five-count charge filed by the Lagos State Government, comprising one count of murder, two counts of rap£, and two counts of conspiracy.

He pleaded not guilty to all the charges when arraigned in March 2022.

The court, however, found overwhelming evidence against him in connection to the tragic d£ath of Bamise, who went missing after boarding a BRT bus he was driving from Chevron Bus Stop on the Lekki-Ajah expressway on February 26, 2022.

Her body was discovered days later, sparking outrage, protests, and widespread calls for justice.

In addition to Bamise’s case, the prosecution presented detailed testimonies and medical reports showing that Ominikoron had also sexually assāulted a medical doctor, Dr. Anosike Victoria, and raped another v!ctim, Maryland Ojiezelu, under similar circumstances.

During the course of the trial, the court heard from multiple witnesses, including the surviving victims, law enforcement officers, medical personnel, and forensic experts.

The prosecution tendered physical and documentary evidence, including CCTV footage, call logs, and medical examination reports linking Ominikoron to the crimes.

Justice Sonaike held that the evidence presented was “credible, consistent, and compelling,” stating that the defendant took advantage of his position as a BRT driver to prey on unsuspecting female passengers.

Bamise’s murder, in particular, triggered national concern over the safety of public transportation in Lagos and raised questions about the security systems in place on the BRT network.

The court’s ruling is seen as a significant moment in Nigeria’s criminal justice system and a stern warning to perpetrators of gender-based violence.

Ominikoron now awaits execution, while rights groups and members of the public have praised the judgment as a victory for justice and a step toward greater protection for women.