A Lagos High Court has sentenced Andrew Nice Ominikoron, a former BRT driver, to death by hanging after finding him guilty of murdering 22-year-old fashion designer, Bamise Ayanwola, in a case that shocked the nation.
Justice Sherifat Sonaike delivered the ruling, also convicting Nice of the attempted rape of Ayanwola and the rape of another woman in 2021, as well as the sexual assault of a female doctor that same year.
Although the court noted that autopsy findings did not confirm vaginal bruising to fully establish rape in Ayanwola’s case, the pattern of sexual predation and abuse of public trust led to a damning conclusion.
“The defendant is a serial predator who took advantage of his position… his actions are unforgivable under the law,” the judge ruled.
Justice Sonaike called on Lagos authorities and e-hailing transport providers to reform driver recruitment processes and prioritize passenger safety—especially for vulnerable groups.
The ruling is seen as a landmark judgment in the fight against gender-based violence and public transport safety in Nigeria.
