The family of Oluwabamise Ayanwola, who was murdered by Andrew Ominikoron, a Bus Rapid Transit driver, has urged the government to arrest all those involved in their daughter’s tragedy.
On Friday, Justice Sherifat Sonaike of the Lagos State High Court, sitting in Tafawa Balewa Square, convicted and sentenced Ominikoron to death by hanging for the death of Ayanwola.
Ayanwola went missing on February 26, 2022, after riding an Ominikoron BRT bus in Lagos’ Ajah district.
Her disappearance prompted significant indignation and a citywide search.
Nine days later, her body was discovered on Carter Bridge, Lagos Island.
The Lagos State Government later arrested Ominikoron and charged him with five counts of conspiracy, rape, murder, and sexual assault.
During the trial, the state called eleven witnesses to testify against the defendant.
The culprit, who began his defence on October 17, 2024, denied raping or killing Oluwabamise.
However, Justice Sonaike ruled Ominikoron guilty of murder and several sexual offences, including rape, attempted rape, and sexual assault.
According to the judge, the prosecution, through its witnesses, demonstrated that the act of the defendant (Ominikoron) caused the death of the dead (Ayanwola).
The judge concluded that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Justice Sonaike found Ominikoron guilty of raping Nneka Udezulu and sexually abusing Dr Victoria Anosike, who had boarded his bus on prior occasions.
Sonaike said, “On count one, which is the offence of raping Nneka Udezulu, Ominikoron is sentenced to life imprisonment. For count three, attempted rape of Anyawola, you are sentenced to 14 years imprisonment. For count five, the offence of sexual assault on Dr Victoria Anosike, you are sentenced to three years imprisonment.
“For 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 are dead. May God have mercy on your soul,” she held.
She stated that the voice recording of the deceased, which she sent to her friend while inside the defendant’s bus, would be admitted as a dying declaration.
The judge stated that the deceased’s voice recording was made while she believed she was in imminent danger owing to the defendant’s actions.
She claimed the message, sent while the victim was in danger, revealed the defendant’s pattern of targeting vulnerable female passengers.
“All the circumstantial evidence, including the defendant’s attempt to flee to a remote village and his failure to report the incident, demonstrates a guilty mind,” the judge said.
Justice Sonaike described Ominikoron as a serial rapist, stating that his actions showed a clear pattern of luring unsuspecting passengers to isolated locations and sexually assaulting them.
“I find the ingredient of murder established beyond all reasonable doubt,” Sonaike held.
The judge mentioned that the convict lied throughout his defence.
Sonaike said, “The fact that the defendant committed these offences within a three-month interval shows that maybe there are more victims who, because of shame, failed to come forward.
“The defendant used his employment to rape unsuspecting passengers. This is an unforgivable crime.
“This case is an eye opener. There is a need for the government to overhaul the recruitment standard so that parents will be assured when their young girl boards a vehicle”.
Reacting to the judgement, the deceased’s elder sister, Onapemipo Damilola, demanded the arrest of all those who colluded with the driver in her sister’s murder.
Damilola stated, “The accomplices in this matter should be provided.”
She praised the judge, stating that Justice Sonaike delivered the judgement impartially, calling it fair and commendable.
The sister stated that the judge, being a mother herself, understood and shared in their pain.
She noted, “The judgement was not biased. The judgement was accurate. We thank her so much. She deserves to be praised.”
Speaking on the possible compensation from the Lagos State Government, Damilola responded that no such offer had been made.
Damilola said, “They never talked about any compensation.”
