22nd March, 2022
Lagos lawyer and rights activist, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, has asked the Lagos State Government to pay a sum not less than N100m to the family of Oluwabamise Ayanwola, the 22-year-old fashion designer who was allegedly raped and murdered by a driver of Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) driver, Andrew Nice Omininikoron.
Bamise went missing after boarding BRT bus driven by Ominikoron on Saturday, February 26 on her way to Oshodi at about 7pm at Chevron Bus-stop.
Her remains was later discovered at a roadside on Carter Bridge, Lagos Island while Omininikoron who went missing after Bamise was declared missing was later arrested at Ososa, Ogun State by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The Police had accused the BRT driver of rape and murder of Bamise.
On Tuesday, the Lagos State Government arraigned Omininikoron before a Lagos High Court on a four-count charge of conspiracy, murder, and two counts of rape.
While reacting to the arraignment,Adegboruwa commended the Lagos State Government for the fulfillment of its promise that it will prosecute the BRT driver for the murder and rape of Bamise.
He also commended the Governor of Lagos State and the Attorney General for the speed with with the driver was arraigned in court.
He, however, said with the evidence now available that bus belonging to government and an employee were deployed to commit the crime, the Lagos State Government should reach out to the family of the deceased to offer an apology and to offer adequate compensation (not less than N100,000,000:00), to the family.
He added that without this, there will continue to be a missing gap.
The full statement posted by Adegboruwa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria on his Facebook page tited RE: RAPE AND MURDER OF BAMISILE reads: “The Lagos State Government today fulfilled its promise to prosecute the driver of its BRT Bus that was alleged to have raped and killed Miss Bamisile. The driver was arraigned before the High Court of Lagos State on criminal charges of rape and murder. The poor lady was said to have been raped inside the BRT bus and then thrown out whilst the bus was in motion.
“I commend the Governor of Lagos State and the Honourable Attorney-General of the State, for the speed with which they have handled this matter so far. The quality of legal representation, through the well-experienced Director of Public Prosecution, Dr Babajide Martins, is a testimony of the commitment of the government to do justice to the case. This is how it should be done, in all cases where the lives of citizens have become endangered.
“However, and in the light of the evidence available that the facility (bus) and employee (driver) of the government were deployed to commit the crime, it is necessary for the Lagos State Government to reach out to the family of the deceased, first to offer an apology and give healing to the grieving parents and siblings and then secondly, to offer adequate compensation (not less than N100,000,000:00), to the family. Without this, there will continue to be a missing gap.
“Furthermore, I do humbly urge His Excellency the Governor of Lagos State to fulfil his promise to equip all public transport buses with infrastructure and facilities that will enhance the security of all passengers.
“I commend all the good people of Nigeria who have kept on the pressure for justice in this case, especially the civil society organizations and the media.
Together, we shall always win.
SAN
Lekki, Lagos.
22/03/2022