Justice Sherifat Sonaike on Friday, 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 Oluwabamise and the sexual assault of Dr. Anosike Victoria.
Ominikoron faced a five-count charge including murder, conspiracy, and rape — in connection with Bamise’s death, the sexual assault of Dr. Anosike, and the rape of one MaryAnne Ojiezelu. He had pleaded not guilty to all charges.
He was arraigned on a four count charge, which was later adjusted to five on rape of one Nneka Maryjane, conspiracy to commit felony, Rape of Ayanwola, murder of Ayanwola and attempted rape of one Onyinyechi Victoria.
Omnikoron was found guilty of rape for one Nneka Maryjane and sentenced to life imprisonment on count one.
He was, however, discharged and acquitted on count 2, which was conspiracy to commit a felony.
On count 3, Omnikoron was sentenced to death by hanging for the murder charge against him and 14 years imprisonment on attempted rape on count three.
On another charge, on count five, he was found guilty of sexual assault of one Onyinyechi Victoria and sentenced to three years imprisonment.
On another charge, on count five, he was found guilty of sexual assault of one Onyinyechi Victoria and sentenced to three years imprisonment.
Justice Sherifat Sonaike, while giving the judgment, said that the only reasonable inference the court can deduce from the case based on the evidence available is that the defendant murdered the deceased.
She said the court holds that Mr Nice caused the death of Ayanwola and was the last person to see her before her death on February 26, 2022, reinforcing his guilt.
“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 the death unless they gives an explanation on how he has no hand in the death.
