Justice Sherifat Sonaike of Lagos High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) has found a BRT driver, Andrew Nice, guilty of murder and attempted rape of 22-year-old Oluwabamise Ayanwola.
He was arraigned on a four-count, which was later adjusted to five, bordering 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 of Maryjane and sentenced to life imprisonment on count one. He was, however, discharged and acquitted on count two, which was conspiracy to commit felony.
On count three, 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.
Justice Sonaike, while giving the judgment, said that the only reasonable inference the court can deduce from the case based on 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 established that the person last seen with a deceased bears full responsibility for death unless he gives an explanation on how he has no hand in the death.
Justice Sonaike said the prosecution was not able to prove beyond reasonable doubt the matter of rape of Ayanwola, but evidence showed that he sexually harassed female vulnerable passengers, put off the light in the bus, and took unfamiliar routes.
Justice Sonaike said he intended to have sexual intercourse with the deceased, but her death must have ensued when she resisted rape.
The issue of Prosecution witnesses 3, 7, and 8 as hearsay, stated in the final written address of the defense counsel, Mr. Abayomi Omotubora, was discountenanced.
During the trial, the prosecution called nine witnesses, while the defense called one.
Defense counsel, Omotubora, said he would appeal the case.
