On May 2, 2025, a Lagos State High Court at Tafawa Balewa Square delivered a landmark verdict, sentencing Andrew Nice Ominikoron, a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver, to death by hanging for the murder of 22-year-old fashion designer Oluwabamise Ayanwola. The court, presided over by Justice Sherifat Sonaike, also convicted Ominikoron of raping Nneka Maryjane Ozezulu, sexually assaulting Dr. Victoria Anosike, and attempting to rape Ayanwola. This high-profile case, which sparked nationwide outrage in 2022, has reignited debates about Nigeria’s judicial system, the use of the death penalty, and the broader implications for justice and public safety. This blog post explores the details of the case, the judicial process, and the significance of the death penalty in Nigeria’s legal framework. The Case: A Tragic Loss and a Public Outcry On February 26, 2022, Oluwabamise Ayanwola boarded a BRT bus driven by Ominikoron at the Chevron Bus Stop in Ajah, Lagos, en route to Oshodi. What should have been a routine commute turned into a nightmare. Ayanwola, sensing danger when the driver failed to pick up other passengers, sent a chilling voice note to a friend, expressing her fear. That was the last time her family heard from her. Nine days later, her body was found on Carter Bridge, Lagos Island, bearing signs of sexual violence. The incident triggered widespread protests, highlighting the vulnerability of women in public spaces and exposing systemic flaws in Lagos’s public transportation system. Ominikoron was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) in Ogun State, where he had fled. He faced a five-count charge, including conspiracy, rape, attempted rape, sexual assault, and murder. Despite pleading not guilty, the prosecution presented compelling evidence, including Ayanwola’s dying declaration via her voice note, the “last seen” doctrine implicating Ominikoron as the last person with the victim, and testimonies from other victims of his assaults. The court found him guilty on multiple counts, sentencing him to death for Ayanwola’s murder, life imprisonment for raping Ozezulu, 14 years for attempting to rape Ayanwola, and three years for sexually assaulting Anosike. The Judicial Process: A Testament to Circumstantial Evidence The trial of Andrew Ominikoron showcased the strength of Nigeria’s judicial system in handling complex cases with no direct eyewitnesses. Justice Sonaike relied on the doctrine of “last seen,” which holds that the person last seen with a deceased individual bears the burden of explaining their death. Ayanwola’s voice note, admissible as a dying declaration under Section 34 of the Evidence Act, was pivotal in establishing Ominikoron’s guilt. Additional evidence, such as forensic reports, torn clothing from another victim, and a bank transfer of N3,000 from Ominikoron to Ozezulu for painkillers, further corroborated the prosecution’s case. The prosecution, led by the Lagos State Government, called nine witnesses, while Ominikoron was the sole witness for the defense. His claim that three unidentified passengers were responsible for Ayanwola’s death was dismissed as inconsistent with the evidence. The court’s meticulous approach, including its acquittal of Ominikoron on the conspiracy charge due to insufficient evidence, demonstrates a commitment to fairness and the principle of proving guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The Death Penalty: A Controversial Tool in Nigeria’s Judicial Arsenal The sentencing of Ominikoron to death by hanging has reignited discussions about the death penalty in Nigeria’s judicial system. Capital punishment is legal in Nigeria under Section 33(1) of the 1999 Constitution and is prescribed for offenses like murder under Section 319 of the Criminal Code (applicable in Southern Nigeria) and Section 221 of the Penal Code (applicable in Northern Nigeria). However, its application remains contentious. Arguments in Favor of the Death Penalty: Arguments Against the Death Penalty: Implications for Nigeria’s Judicial System The Ominikoron verdict has far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s judicial system, particularly in the context of gender-based violence, public safety, and institutional accountability. A Call for Systemic Reform The sentencing of Andrew Ominikoron is a significant victory for justice, but it also exposes deeper systemic issues. The Nigerian judicial system must address these challenges to ensure that justice is not only served but seen to be served consistently. Key reforms include: Conclusion: A Step Toward Justice, but More Work Lies Ahead The conviction of Andrew Ominikoron for the rape and murder of Oluwabamise Ayanwola is a testament to the resilience of Nigeria’s judicial system in delivering justice for a crime that shook the nation. However, the death penalty, while satisfying public demand for retribution, does not address the systemic issues that enabled this tragedy. As Nigeria grapples with rising gender-based violence and public safety concerns, the judiciary must evolve to ensure swift, fair, and effective justice. The memory of Bamise Ayanwola demands not just punishment for her killer but a commitment to preventing such horrors in the future. Let this verdict be a catalyst for change, ensuring that no one else suffers her fate.
