The CDHR criticised the slow pace of the investigation and prosecution, emphasising the need for diligent action. The organisation demanded that the four other individuals present in the bus at the time of the murder be identified, named, and brought to justice.
The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has expressed concern over the prolonged delay in the trial of those responsible for the murder of 22-year-old fashion designer, Bamise Ayanwola in Lagos.
In an open letter to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, the organisation highlighted that it had been 914 days since Bamise’s brutal murder on February 26, 2022, inside a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) bus.
The CDHR criticised the slow pace of the investigation and prosecution, emphasising the need for diligent action. The organisation demanded that the four other individuals present in the bus at the time of the murder be identified, named, and brought to justice.
The letter was signed by Kehinde Adeoye, State Chairman, and Adewunmi Adesina, Secretary.
The CDHR's open letter urged the governor to ensure swift justice for Ayanwola and her family, describing the prolonged delay as unacceptable.
"Today, Wednesday 28 August, 2024 makes it exactly 914 (nine hundred and fourteen) days that Bamise was murdered. The case has been in court since March 2022. CDHR has been monitoring the case and have, on many occasions, been present in court but it is so sad that the case has continually suffered series of unnecessary adjournments till date.
"We recall that sometime in July 2022, there was a murder case of an O.A.U. (Obafemi Awolowo University) master’s degree student who came from Abuja to write examination at Ile-Ife but was murdered in an hotel in Ife. As we speak, Osun State Judiciary has been bold enough to deliver judgement.
"In the same vein, the murder case of a female lawyer - Barr. (Mrs) Bolanle Raheem, said to be pregnant with twins, who was shot by a trigger-happy policeman at Ajah, Lagos State. As we speak, judgement has been given.
“These are similar cases that happened after that of Bamise Ayanwola. The pertinent question to ask now is this: what is delaying the murder case of Bamise Ayanwola?"
The organisation explained that they wrote to the Head of the Lagos State Judiciary as far back as September 2022 over the delay in the prosecution but were promised that the case would be speedily heard by the court but regretted that nothing of such had happened yet.
It said, "Again, on the 11th July, 2023 - the day that made it 500 (five hundred) days that Bamise was murdered, we wrote a protest letter to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. Again, we were told that the House of Assembly would deliberate on it and has tagged it ‘Matter Of Urgent Importance’ but up to this moment, nothing has been heard.
"Your Excellency, we wish to draw your attention to the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) Chapter 4, Section 33 under Fundamental Rights - right to life. It says "no person or group of persons has any right to take the life of another person save by the order of a court".
"In this instance, no court gave order that Bamise's life should be terminated and as such, the state (government) has a constitutional duty to fish out Bamise's killers and appropriate sanctions should be applied in the interest of justice.
"The Lagos State Judiciary prides itself as "the last hope of the common man". This Bamise Ayanwola murder case is one that shall prove the above appellation to be true or not. Friday, 22nd November, 2024 will make it 1,000 (One Thousand) days that Bamise Ayanwola was murdered and if by that date, judgement in the case remains elusive, Lagos State Judiciary shall have given itself the unenviable title/record of "a judiciary that sat on a murder case for more than 1,000 days, i.e. 2 years, 9 months, i.e. 33 months, after the murder of the victim.”
"Does Lagos State Government and by extension Lagos State Judiciary love this title/record? Remember sir, that justice delayed is justice denied says a popular legal axiom," the group said.
The group further demanded that the "Android phone belonging to Late Miss Oluwabamise Ayanwola with which she was communicating and sending vital information to her friend while she was inside the BRT bus and sensing danger, the information which led to the arrest of the murder suspect - the BRT bus driver, should be produced.
"That the authorities should confirm to the whole world if, indeed, the murder suspect - the BRT Bus driver - Andrew Nice Ominikoron is still in prison custody."
Reminding the governor that if Bamise had not patronised Lagos State Government-owned BRT being operated by LBSL (Lagos Bus Services Ltd), she would have probably been alive today.
The organisation said, "Her thinking was that BRT bus was safer than "one chance", yet she met her untimely death right inside the BRT bus, yet no justice till this day. What message does this send to the public?”
"It is also important to note that if Bamise Ayanwola had not been murdered, she shall be 24 years old on Saturday 30 November, 2024. What a promising future terminated. The ball is now in the court of Lagos State Government to do the needful," the group insisted.
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