A Lagos State High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square has sentenced a driver, Andrew Nice Ominikoron, to death by hanging.
Ominikoron, a driver of the Lagos Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), was sentenced to death after he was found guilty of killing Bamise Ayanwola, a 22-year-old fashion designer.
The trial judge, Justice Sherifat Sonaike, also found Andrew Nice guilty of the rape of another woman (names withheld) in 2021, and for the sexual assault of a female medical doctor that same year who also boarded his bus.
The court held that these incidents revealed the pattern of a paedophile and serial rapist who abused the privilege given to him by the Lagos state government, which is an unforgivable crime even under the law.
Justice Sonaike urged the authorities and other bodies that run transport services, including e-hailing services, to overhaul the recruitment of their drivers so that all passengers, especially vulnerable ones, are kept safe.
Justice Sonaike noted that this case is an eye-opener for all, as there may be many other victims who, due to fear or shame, failed to come and testify against the defendant.
