A Lagos High Court in Tafawa Balewa Square, Igbosere, has reserved judgment in the high-profile trial of Andrew Nice, a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver accused of the rape and murder of 22-year-old Oluwabamise Ayanwola in 2022.

Justice Sherifat Sonaike set May 2, 2025, for the verdict after both the defense and prosecution presented their final arguments.

Defense lawyer Abayomi Omotubora contended that the prosecution failed to provide conclusive evidence linking Nice to Ayanwola’s death. He challenged the admissibility of a voice note reportedly sent by the victim to a friend, arguing it constituted hearsay. He also questioned the credibility of a prosecution witness who alleged she was previously assaulted by the defendant, insisting that her claim required further corroboration.

On the prosecution’s side, Lagos State’s Director of Public Prosecutions, Babajide Martins, maintained that the defendant’s actions—including being last seen with Ayanwola and subsequently fleeing to Ogun State—were incriminating. He argued that Nigerian law does not require corroboration in rape cases and urged the court to consider the victim’s voice note as a dying declaration under Section 34 of the Nigerian Evidence Act.

Nice, who was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) in 2022, is facing charges of rape, conspiracy, and murder. The court’s ruling on May 2 will determine his fate.