Justice Sherifat Sonaike yesterday sentenced Andrew Nice Ominikoron to death by hanging after the Lagos State High Court, Tafawa Balewa Square annex, found the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver guilty of the murder of 22-year-old Ayanwola Bamise and the sexual assault on Dr. Victoria Anosike.

Ominikoron was arraigned on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit felony, rape, murder, and sexual assault.

Although he pleaded not guilty to the charges, the court found him guilty for rape of one Nneka Maryjane and sentenced him to life imprisonment on count one.

He was however discharged and acquitted on count 2 which was conspiracy to commit felony.

On count 3, Ominikoron was sentenced to death by hanging for murder and 14 years imprisonment for attempted rape.

He was also found guilty of sexual assault on one Onyinyechi Victoria and sentenced to three years imprisonment.

Justice Sherifat Sonaike, while delivering the judgment, said the only reasonable inference the court could deduce from the case based on evidence available was that the defendant murdered the deceased Bamise.

She said the court holds that Ominikonron caused Bamise’s death and was the last person to see her before her death on February 26, 2022, reinforcing his guilt.

Justice Sonaike said: “The deceased died from severe cerebral injury and blood forced trauma, and his actions and inactions led to her death.

“The law establishes that the person last seen with a deceased bears full responsibility for death unless he gives explanation on how he has no hand in the death.

“In his evidence, he admitted he was alone with her in the bus and where her body was dropped and failed to return to the place to help her and ran away to another state without reporting the case.”

She said the prosecution was not able to prove beyond reasonable doubt the matter of Bamise’s rape, but evidence showed that he sexually harassed her and vulnerable female passengers, put off the light in the bus and took unfamiliar routes, showing a clear, well-thought-out plan with the intention to rape.

Justice Sonaike said Omonikonron intended to have sexual intercourse with the deceased Bamise while her death must have ensued when she resisted rape.

During the trial, the prosecution called nine witnesses including a pathologist, Prof. Sunday Shoyemi, while the defence called one.

Shoyemi, a pathologist at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) ascribed Bamise’s death to craniocerebral injury following a force blunt trauma.

Justice Sonaike noted that all rape incidents occurred within a three-month interval.

“This goes to show there might be more Maryjane or Onyinye who for fear or shame failed to come forward and give evidence against the defendant.

“He can be termed a pedophile and serial rapist who took advantage of his position. This is an unforgivable crime even under the law.

“With him being the driver of a government bus, how safe are our young girls? The government needs to remodel the drivers and seek to keep passengers safe.

“This case has become an eye opener for everyone,” she said.

Defence counsel, Abayomi Omotubora, said the case would be appealed.

Bamise was last seen on February 26, 2022, after boarding a BRT bus driven by Ominikoron at the Ajah axis of Lagos.

Her disappearance sparked public outrage and a widespread search just as nine days later, her lifeless body was found on Carter Bridge in Lagos Island.