BRT Driver Sentenced to Death for Murder of Passenger Oluwabamise Ayanwola

A Lagos High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square on Friday sentenced a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver, Andrew Ominikoron, to death by hanging for the murder of his 22-year-old passenger, Oluwabamise Ayanwola.

Justice Sherifat Sonaike, who delivered the judgment, also convicted Ominikoron on charges of rape and attempted rape involving three victims who boarded his bus on separate occasions.

Ominikoron was arraigned on March 22, 2022, by the Lagos State Government on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, rape, attempted rape, and murder. He had pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Delivering judgment, Justice Sonaike said the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, linking the defendant to the crimes through witness testimonies and other compelling evidence.

“On count one, which is offence of raping Nneka Udezulu, Ominikoron, is sentenced to life imprisonment,” she ruled.

“For count three, attempted rape of Anyawola, you are sentenced to 14 years imprisonment.

“For count five, offence of sexual assault on Dr Victoria Anosike, you are sentenced to three years imprisonment.

“On count four, which is the offence of murder of Oluwabamise Ayanwola; having been found guilty of murder, a capital offence pursuant to Section 301 of the Administrative of Criminal Justice Law, the defendant is hereby sentenced to death.

“You will be hanged by the neck until you be dead. May God have mercy on your soul,” she held.

Justice Sonaike stated that Ominikoron’s actions directly led to Ayanwola’s death. She admitted into evidence a voice recording the deceased had sent to a friend while on the bus, expressing fear for her safety due to the driver’s behaviour. The recording was accepted as a dying declaration.

She also described the convict as a serial rapist, noting that testimonies from witnesses established a pattern in which Ominikoron lured unsuspecting passengers into isolated areas before assaulting them.

“All the circumstantial evidence coupled with the defendant’s refusal to report the matter to his office and his running away to a remote village before his arrest, shows a guilty mind,” the judge said. “I find the ingredient of murder established beyond all reasonable doubt.”

Justice Sonaike dismissed the defendant’s claims in his defence, stating that he lied throughout the proceedings.

“The fact that the defendant said he regretted the death of Anyawola was to play sentiment to the court,” she said.

She further noted that the offences occurred within a short period, suggesting that there may be more victims who did not come forward due to fear or shame.

“The defendant used his employment to rape unsuspecting passengers. This is an unforgivable crime,” Sonaike declared. “This case is an eye opener. There is need for government to overhaul the recruitment standard so that parents will be assured when their young girl boards a vehicle.”

The prosecution, led by the Lagos State Government, called nine witnesses. Ominikoron was the sole witness for the defence.

The case stemmed from a February 26, 2022, incident when Ayanwola, a fashion designer, boarded a BRT bus at the Lekki-Ajah Expressway and was later found dead. The prosecution also alleged that the convict raped Nneka Udezulu and sexually assaulted Dr Victoria Anosike in separate incidents along the Ikorodu-Mile 12 corridor.

The offences were said to contravene Sections 411, 223, 260, and 165 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.