BRT Driver Andrew Ominikoron Sentenced to Death by Hanging for Murder of Bamise Ayanwola
Justice has caught up with Andrew Nice Ominikoron, the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver who shocked the nation with the gruesome murder of 22-year-old Bamise Ayanwola. On Friday, Justice Sherifat Sonaike of the Lagos State High Court, Tafawa Balewa Square annex, sentenced Ominikoron to death by hanging after finding him guilty on multiple charges, including murder and sexual assault.
Ominikoron had faced a five-count charge: murder, conspiracy to commit murder, rape, and sexual assault crimes that sent waves of outrage across Lagos and beyond. The court found him guilty of the murder of Ayanwola, a young fashion designer whose disappearance after boarding a BRT bus in February 2022 sparked widespread fear and protests. Days later, her lifeless body was discovered.
The judgment also covered the sexual assault of Dr. Anosike Victoria and the rape of another woman, Maryland Ojiezelu victims whose testimonies painted a disturbing pattern of abuse and violence by the convicted driver.
Throughout the trial, Ominikoron maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty to all charges. But the court found the evidence overwhelming, ruling that his actions were premeditated, brutal, and deserving of the maximum penalty under the law.
Delivering the verdict, Justice Sonaike emphasized the need for deterrence in cases involving violence against women. “The accused took advantage of vulnerable women who trusted the system. This judgment must serve as a warning that crimes against women will not go unpunished,” she said.
The sentencing has brought a measure of closure to the Ayanwola family and supporters who had long demanded justice. Civil society groups and women’s rights advocates, who closely followed the case, have welcomed the ruling, calling it a victory for victims of sexual and gender-based violence.
Egalitarian Voice will continue to follow up on post-judgment developments, including possible appeals and broader safety reforms within the BRT system.
