The Lagos State High Court has sentenced Andrew Nice Ominikoron, a driver with the Lagos Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, to death by hanging for the murder of 22-year-old fashion designer, Bamise Ayanwola.
Delivering the judgment on Friday, Justice Sherifat Sonaike ruled that the prosecution had effectively proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, relying on the doctrine of “last seen” and the victim’s dying declaration to establish Ominikoron’s culpability.
The judge held, “that for the death of Bamise Ayanwola, you will be hanged by the neck until you are dead. May God have mercy upon you.”
Ominikoron had faced a five-count charge that included conspiracy to commit felony, rape, murder, and sexual assault.
The court, however, noted that medical reports did not confirm that the late Bamise was penetrated, nor was any trace of semen found on her body. As a result, the court held that the act of rape was either not completed or had failed altogether.
Consequently, the defendant was discharged on the charge of rape but was found guilty of the lesser offence of attempted rape, which the prosecution successfully proved.
The court also acquitted the defendant of the charge of conspiracy, stating that the prosecution failed to establish sufficient evidence to support the allegation.
Bamise was last seen alive on February 26, 2022, after boarding a BRT bus driven by Ominikoron in the Ajah area of Lagos.
Her mysterious disappearance triggered widespread outrage and a frantic search.
Tragically, her lifeless body was discovered nine days later on Carter Bridge, Lagos Island.