Justice was finally served on Monday as the Lagos State High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square delivered a landmark judgment in the high-profile murder case of Bamise Ayanwola, a 22-year-old fashion designer whose tragic death sparked widespread outrage in 2022.
The court, presided over by Justice Sherifat Sonaike, found Andrew Nice Ominikoron, a driver with the Lagos Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, guilty of the gruesome murder of Miss Ayanwola. He was sentenced to death by hanging, marking a significant moment in the quest for justice and accountability within the state’s public transport system.
According to the prosecution, Bamise boarded the BRT bus driven by Ominikoron on the evening of February 26, 2022, at Chevron Bus Stop, Lekki, en route to Oshodi. She was later reported missing, and her lifeless body was discovered days after in Ebute Ero, prompting widespread protests and condemnation from civil society groups and women rights advocates.
The court found compelling evidence linking Ominikoron to the crime, including CCTV footage, witness testimonies, and forensic analysis. Justice Sonaike, while delivering the judgment, described the act as “wicked, premeditated, and deeply callous,” emphasizing that the convict betrayed the trust placed in him by the public as a commercial driver.
The ruling has been hailed by human rights activists and legal experts as a step forward in the fight against gender-based violence and crimes within public spaces.
The Lagos State Government, through its Ministry of Justice, reiterated its commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that perpetrators of such heinous crimes face the full weight of justice.
Bamise Ayanwola’s family, who have endured a long and emotional legal journey, expressed relief at the verdict, describing it as the beginning of healing and closure.
The case has since prompted reforms within the Lagos BRT system, including improved security surveillance and driver screening processes, to ensure the safety of commuters, especially women.
