Yemi Olakitan
In a verdict delivered in Lagos, Justice Sherifat Sonaike of the Lagos State High Court, sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square Annexe, handed down a death sentence for Andrew Ominikoron, a Bus Rapid Transit driver accused of the brutal murder of 22‐year old Oluwabamise Ayanwola.
In a dramatic courtroom scene on Friday, the judge announced the sentence after the Lagos State Government proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt. Ominikoron, who faces additional charges including conspiracy, rape, and the sexual assault of Dr. Anosike Victoria and the rape of Maryland Ojiezelu, had steadfastly maintained his innocence throughout the lengthy trial.”
For the death of Oluwabamise Ayanwola, you will be hanged by the neck until you are dead. May God have mercy upon you,” declared Justice Sonaike as she pronounced the sentence, marking a grim milestone in a case that has left the community reeling.The charges brought against Ominikoron were grave, encompassing a series of counts that not only highlighted the severity of the actions but also the premeditated nature of the crimes. Prosecutors argued that the evidence painstakingly assembled over weeks pointed unambiguously to his culpability, a claim that the judge found irrefutable.
Community leaders and activists have expressed mixed reactions to the sentence. Some see it as a necessary act of justice that delivers a clear message on accountability and the rule of law, while others raise concerns about the broader implications of capital punishment in a system already burdened by controversy. Local human rights groups have vowed to scrutinize every aspect of the trial, questioning aspects of due process and calling for comprehensive reforms in handling such severe cases.
As the case continues to unfold, the eyes of Lagos – and indeed the nation – remain fixed on developments that could redefine the landscape of justice in Nigeria. The families of the victims, still grappling with their loss, hope that this resolution, however stark in its severity, brings some closure amidst the deep wounds inflicted by these harrowing events.