Justice Sherifat Sonaike of Lagos State High Court, sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square Annex, has sentenced a Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, driver, Andrew Ominikoron, to death by hanging for the murder of 22-year-old Oluwabamise Ayanwola.
Ominikoron was arraigned on a five-count charge bordering on murder, conspiracy and rape, in connection with the death of Ayanwola, as well as the sexual assault of Dr Anosike Victoria and the rape of Maryland Ojiezelu.
Delivering judgment yesterday, Justice Sonaike ruled that the Lagos State government, which prosecuted the case, had successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
“For the death of Ayanwola, you will be hanged by the neck until you are dead. May God have mercy upon you,” the judge declared in her pronouncement.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The convict was tried on a five-count charge, including conspiracy, rape, murder and sexual assault, brought against him by the Lagos State vovernment.
According to the charges, the incident occurred on February 26, 2022 around 7pm, near Lekki-Ajah Conservation Centre, Lekki-Ajah Expressway, Lagos.
The prosecution said Ominikoron forcibly had sexual intercourse with Ayanwole before murdering her.
The offences contravened Sections 411, 223, 260, and 165 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The deceased was last seen on February 26, 2022 after she boarded a BRT bus driven by Ominikoron in the Ajah area of Lagos.
Her disappearance triggered widespread outrage and a city-wide search.
Her body was discovered nine days later on Carter Bridge, Lagos Island.
During the trial, the state called 11 witnesses who testified against the convict.
The convict, who opened his defence on October 17, 2024, denied raping nor killing Oluwabamise.
Ominikoron, who was led in his defence by his counsel, Abayomi Omotubora, told the court that he picked the late Bamishe at Chevron, and at Agungi, he picked three male passengers.
According to him, one of the male passengers was coming forward and he thought it was to pay him, but then the passenger threw something at his head and showed him a gun, asking him to cooperate.
