Lagos High Court has sentenced BRT driver Andrew Ominnikoron to death by hanging for the murder of 22-year-old Bamise Ayanwole, a fashion designer who went missing after boarding a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in February 2022.
The ruling was read by Justice Sherifat Sonaike in the Lagos High Court in Tafawa Balewa Square. The defendant was found guilty on a four-count charge, which included murder, rape, and conspiracy. The ruling is the culmination of nearly two years of court proceedings, public outcry, and widespread media coverage.
Bamise boarded the BRT bus at Chevron Bus Stop in Lekki but was later reported missing. Her lifeless body was found days later on Carter Bridge, Lagos Island. Autopsy results showed she was raped and murdered.
The accident sparked outrage across the country. Flashback to March 2022, mass protests broke out in Lagos and other parts of the country, demanding justice and responsibility in public transport safety. Civil rights groups and gender associations demanded reforms and stricter security checks on public transport services.
Several witnesses testified against the driver in court, including forensic experts and security agents. CCTV footage and phone records were presented by the prosecution that linked the suspect to the crime. The court ruled that the evidence was so overwhelming that the defendant had purposely misled the victim into a sense of security before attacking and murdering her.
Justice Sonaike also noted in her ruling that the actions of the convict were calculated, brutal, and showed no regard for human life. She further stated that justice not only needed to be done but to be seen as well, especially in cases that involved vulnerable members of society.
The court sentenced the driver to life imprisonment for the offense of rape and 21 years for conspiracy and attempted murder.
The victim’s family members, who were present in court, felt relieved with the verdict. Her elder brother expressed that the family could now begin to heal since they had the assurance of justice having been served.
Rights groups have welcomed the verdict but insist that there’s still more to be done to secure the safety of Nigerian public transport passengers. They are calling for routine background checks for drivers and surveillance in buses to prevent such accidents.
The Lagos State Government, in response, has vowed to come up with tighter regulations for the operations of BRT and provide enhanced safety features for passengers.
