In a landmark judgment, the Lagos State High Court, situated at the renowned Tafawa Balewa Square, has sentenced Andrew Nice Ominikoron a driver of the Lagos Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system—to death by hanging. This ruling comes after Ominikoron’s conviction for the premeditated murder of Bamise Ayanwola, a promising 22-year-old fashion designer, whose life was tragically cut short in February 2022. The court’s decision underscores the gravity of the offenses in question and signals a strong stance against acts of violence within the community.

The presiding judge, Sherifat Sonaike, issued the sentence on Friday after a thorough examination of the evidence presented during the trial. Ominikoron faced multiple serious charges, including murder, conspiracy, and rape, which stemmed not only from the death of Ayanwola but also from the alleged sexual assault of another victim, Dr. Anosike, as well as the rape of Maryland Ojiezelu. Throughout the proceedings, Ominikoron maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty to all charges. The case has garnered significant public attention and has sparked discussions around safety and security within public transport systems in Lagos, as well as broader societal issues surrounding violence against women.