BRT Driver Sentenced to Death for Killing Fashion Designer Oluwabamise

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

Justice Serifat Sonaike, who delivered the two-and-a-half-hour judgment, declared that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.

“For the death of Oluwabamise Ayanwola, you will be hanged by the neck until you are dead. May God have mercy upon you,” the judge said.

Although no eyewitnesses testified to the killing, the court relied on circumstantial evidence, including the testimony of a pathologist and the victim’s dying declaration. 

These pointed to Ominikoron as the last person seen with Bamise before her death on February 26, 2022.

Ominikoron was also convicted of raping a 29-year-old passenger, Nneka Maryjane Ozezulu, inside his BRT bus on November 25, 2021. 

Justice Sonaike cited statements from the victims and a voice note recorded by Bamise before her death, which revealed her fear and refusal of any sexual contact with the driver.

However, the court acquitted Ominikoron of the rape charge relating to Bamise, citing the absence of medical evidence confirming penetration or the presence of semen. He was instead convicted of attempted rape.

In addition, the judge discharged him of conspiracy charges, ruling that the prosecution failed to establish the offence.

The Director of Public Prosecution for Lagos State, Dr. Babajide Martins, led the prosecution team and urged the court to impose the maximum sentence as a deterrent to others.

Defence counsel Abayomi Omotubora, however, pleaded for mercy, asking the court to temper justice with compassion.

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