HAPPENING NOW!! Court Sentence Lagos BRT Driver Sentenced to Death Over Murder of Fashion Designer
The Lagos State High Court at Tafawa Balewa Square has sentenced Andrew Nice Ominikoron, a driver with the Lagos Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), to death by hanging for the murder of 22-year-old fashion designer, Bamise Ayanwola.
Justice Sherifat Sonaike delivered the verdict on Friday, bringing an end to a tragic case that sparked nationwide outrage.
Bamise had gone missing on February 26, 2022, after boarding a BRT bus. Her disappearance led to widespread concern, and after days of intense search, her body was found on March 3, 2022, at Carter Bridge in Lagos. The case drew attention due to the chilling details—Bamise had sent a voice note to a friend during the journey, expressing fear about the driver’s suspicious behavior.
The death of Bamise prompted public protests and ignited a conversation on the safety of women in public spaces. It also intensified calls for reforms in the public transportation system, especially to ensure the protection of women.
Andrew Ominikoron was arrested shortly after her body was found and later charged with murder. The court found him guilty, and he has now been sentenced to death by hanging.
The case remains a grim reminder of the dangers women face and the need for stronger mechanisms to combat gender-based violence in Nigeria.
