A Lagos High Court has handed down a death sentence to Andrew Ominikoron, a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver, for the murder of 22-year-old fashion designer Bamise Ayanwola in a case that shocked the nation. Justice Sherifat Sonaike delivered the verdict on Friday, ruling that Ominikoron be hanged for the February 2022 killing.
The judgment followed a highly publicized trial that revealed disturbing details about Ayanwola’s final moments after boarding Ominikoron’s BRT bus. Her disappearance and subsequent discovery of her body days later triggered widespread protests across Lagos, with citizens demanding better safety measures for public transport users, particularly women traveling alone.
Prosecutors successfully proved the murder was premeditated, presenting forensic evidence and witness testimonies that sealed Ominikoron’s conviction. The case became a national symbol of violence against women and systemic failures in public transportation security.
Human rights groups have acknowledged the verdict while reiterating calls for structural reforms to prevent similar tragedies. Transport unions have pledged stricter driver vetting processes as Lagos authorities review safety protocols across the BRT network.
The three-year legal battle concluded with emotional scenes outside the Tafawa Balewa Square courthouse, where Ayanwola’s family expressed cautious relief at the judgment. The case continues to resonate as a cautionary tale about passenger vulnerability in Nigeria’s urban centers.
