BAMISE: COURT RESERVES JUDGEMENT IN RAPE, MURDER CASE AGAINST ANDREW NICE

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

A Lagos High Court sitting at Igbosere, Tafawa Balewa Square Annex, has reserved its judgment in the rape and murder trial of 22-year-old Oluwabamise Ayanwola, allegedly perpetrated by BRT driver, Andrew Nice.

After hearing the final written addresses of both the defense and prosecution, Justice Sherifat Sonaike set May 2, 2025, for the delivery of the judgment.

During the proceedings, defense counsel, Abayomi Omotubora, argued that the prosecution had failed to present substantial evidence to prove the guilt of the defendant. Omotubora questioned the credibility of the prosecution’s case, stating that testimonies from witnesses did not directly implicate Andrew Nice in the murder of Ayanwola.

Omotubora also referred to a voice note reportedly sent by Ayanwola to a friend before her death. He argued that this was hearsay evidence, as the friend who received the voice note was not called to testify in court. Additionally, the defense contested the prosecution’s reliance on the principle of the “last person seen,” suggesting that it was insufficient to secure a conviction without concrete evidence.

The defense counsel also pointed out that the testimonies from an alleged rape victim of Andrew Nice required corroboration, and emphasized that the prosecutor should have called other alleged victims to testify.

In contrast, Babajide Martins, the Director of Public Prosecutions for Lagos State, in his final address, insisted that the testimonies of prosecution witnesses—including PW 3, 7, and 8—were strong enough to establish the defendant’s guilt.

Martins argued that the issue of corroboration, raised by the defense, was not applicable in cases of rape, but rather in cases of defilement. He also asserted that the defendant’s actions following the crime spoke volumes about his guilt—rather than reporting the incident to the police or attempting to clear his name, Nice fled to Osoosa, Sagamu, Ogun State, where he was apprehended by the Department of State Security Services in 2022.

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On the matter of the deceased’s dying declaration, Martins invoked Section 34 of the Nigerian Evidence Act, asking the court to consider the voice note sent by Ayanwola as credible evidence, given the circumstances of her death.

Andrew Nice is currently standing trial for the alleged rape, conspiracy, and murder of Oluwabamise Ayanwola in 2022.

The court has now reserved judgment until Friday, May 2, 2025, when Justice Sherifat Sonaike will issue a ruling on the case.