The family of Oluwabamise Ayanwola is demanding further justice after a Lagos State High Court sentenced Andrew Ominikoron, a BRT driver, to death for her murder. They are calling on authorities to apprehend others who may have been involved in the crime.
Justice Sherifat Sonaike, presiding at the court in Tafawa Balewa Square, delivered the verdict on Friday, sentencing Ominikoron to death by hanging. Ayanwola, 22, went missing on February 26, 2022, after boarding Ominikoron’s BRT bus in the Ajah area.
Her disappearance triggered public outrage and a widespread search. Her body was discovered nine days later beneath Carter Bridge on Lagos Island.
Ominikoron faced five charges, including conspiracy, rape, murder, and sexual assault. The prosecution presented 11 witnesses. Despite denying all charges, the court found him guilty on every count.
Justice Sonaike stated that the prosecution had established Ominikoron’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The court also found him responsible for raping another passenger, Nneka Udezulu, and sexually assaulting Dr. Victoria Anosike on different occasions.
In her sentencing, the judge ruled:
“On count one, for the rape of Nneka Udezulu, the defendant is sentenced to life imprisonment. For count three, attempted rape of Ayanwola, he is sentenced to 14 years. On count five, sexual assault on Dr. Anosike, three years. On count four, for the murder of Ayanwola, he is sentenced to death by hanging.”
A key piece of evidence was a voice recording Ayanwola sent to a friend while on the bus, which the court accepted as a dying declaration. The judge said it illustrated the victim’s fear and pointed to a pattern of predatory conduct.
“All the circumstantial evidence including the defendant’s flight and failure to report the incident demonstrates a guilty mind,” Justice Sonaike said. She described Ominikoron as a serial predator who abused his position to target women.
“The fact that these crimes occurred within a three-month span suggests there may be more victims who have not come forward,” she added.
Following the ruling, Ayanwola’s sister, Onapemipo Damilola, expressed relief but emphasized the need to bring all accomplices to justice.
“We are grateful for the judgment, but the accomplices must also be found and prosecuted,” she said.
Damilola commended Justice Sonaike for her impartiality and sensitivity throughout the case.
“She judged fairly and showed empathy. As a mother, she understood our pain,” she added.
When asked about potential compensation from the Lagos State Government, Damilola said none had been offered.
“They’ve said nothing about compensation,” she noted.
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