The Lagos State branch of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) yesterday marked 1,000 days since the gruesome murder of 22-year-old fashion designer, Oluwabamise Ayanwola, demanding justice and decrying the slow pace of the case.

Addressing journalists in Ikeja, the state chairman of the CDHR, Kehinde Adeoye, called for swift action to ensure justice for the deceased, who was sexually assaulted and murdered on February 26, 2022, inside a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) vehicle operated by Lagos Bus Services Limited.

The bus driver, Andrew Nice Ominikoron, has been tagged as the principal suspect and has been on trial since March 2022.CDHR presented a three-point demand, including the identification, naming, and prosecution of four other individuals allegedly present in the BRT bus at the time of Ayanwola’s murder.

The group also called for the retrieval of Ayanwola’s Android phone, which she used to communicate with her friend during the incident, and confirmation of Ominikoron’s imprisonment status.

The group criticised the Lagos State judiciary for what it described as the prolonged and sluggish handling of the case. CDHR questioned the commitment of the state government, citing the expedited resolution of two separate murder cases that occurred after Ayanwola’s death.

Adeoye highlighted that Ayanwola was posthumously honoured with the “Woman of Courage” award on June 11, 2022, for her bravery in alerting her friend to the danger she faced, despite her tragic fate.

The CDHR vowed to sustain its advocacy for justice, asserting that the prolonged delay in resolving the case has only intensified their resolve.