In a verdict that has stirred emotions across Nigeria, a Lagos High Court has sentenced BRT driver Andrew Nice Omininikoron to death by hanging for the murder of 22-year-old Bamise Ayanwole. The ruling came more than two years after Bamise tragically went missing during a BRT ride—only for her lifeless body to be discovered days later.
Bamise had boarded the BRT bus at Chevron Bus Stop, Lekki, around 7 p.m. on February 26, 2022. According to reports, she was the only passenger on board at the time. Disturbing details revealed that she sensed danger and began sending messages and videos to her friend in real time, fearing for her life.
The driver, Andrew Nice, was arrested shortly after her body was found on Carter Bridge, Lagos Island. His inconsistent statements during interrogation and mounting evidence, including CCTV footage and phone records, tied him to the crime.
During the trial, the judge described the actions of the convict as “callous, inhumane, and deserving of the maximum punishment.” The court ultimately convicted him of murder, rape, and misconduct in public office, handing him the death penalty by hanging—a rare but legal sentence under Nigerian law.
Public Reaction
The ruling has drawn mixed reactions. While many Nigerians applaud the judgment as justice for Bamise and her family, others are calling for deeper reforms in the Lagos BRT system to prevent such tragedies in the future.
This case remains a grim reminder that public transport safety cannot be taken for granted, and that swift justice is possible when the legal system works effectively.
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