The family of Bamise Ayanwole has expressed dissatisfaction with the recent court ruling that sentenced BRT driver Andrew Nice to death for her kidnapping and murder, insisting that justice is incomplete until all those allegedly involved are identified and prosecuted.
During a press briefing in Lagos, relatives of the late 22-year-old woman accused the Nigerian police of failing to conduct a thorough investigation into the case, leaving critical questions unanswered and suspects unaccounted for.
Abegunde Pelumi Caleb, a family representative, criticised the authorities for overlooking leads from Bamise’s final voice notes, which he said referred to other individuals. “Where is Bamise’s phone and other belongings? Her phone could hold vital clues that would help identify other culprits,” he said, urging the police to dig deeper.
Abegunde also questioned the treatment of the convicted driver, expressing concern that he appeared healthier and better cared for than other inmates facing similar sentences. “Equality before the law demands equal treatment,” he noted.
The family’s position was backed by Kehinde Adeoye, Lagos State Chairman of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), who said that while the court had passed judgment, justice had not been fully served. “Andrew Nice was not the only person involved. The judgment mentioned ‘others at large’ – who is tracking them down? That’s the responsibility of the police,” Adeoye stated.
He also criticised the ongoing delay in returning Bamise’s phone to the family, suggesting that authorities may still be withholding it for undisclosed reasons.
James Joel, another family member, accused the police of negligence and called for the reopening of the case. He argued that with other suspects still at large, including two men and one woman mentioned in Bamise’s final recordings, justice could not be said to have been achieved.
“The case has only been closed for one person. The others are still out there. They’re not ghosts. Justice delayed is justice denied,” he concluded, urging the government and the new Commissioner of Police to revisit the matter.
The family’s renewed call comes after widespread public outcry following Bamise’s tragic death in 2022, which drew attention to safety concerns on Lagos’ Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system.
