OGBONNA, A LAGOS AUTO DEALER, IS KEPT IN CUSTODY AFTER HIS WIFE DIED.

Ikechukwu Daryl Ogbonna, an auto trader, was ordered to remain in custody following the death of his wife, Abimbola Martins-Ogbonna, by an Ebute Meta Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Tuesday.
Following advice from the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), who had indicted Ogbonna for involuntary manslaughter, Magistrate Adebayo Kafayat Tella (Mrs) issued the directive.

Mrs. Tella stated that the defendant should be brought before the Lagos High Court after reading out the DPP Advice.

She ordered Ogbonna to remain in detention until an information was filed against him and his arraignment.

However, based on the earlier bail restrictions that were given to the prisoner, defense attorney Mr. Abubakar Yesufu requested that the court release him.

However, Magistrate Tella ruled that she lacked the authority to hear an involuntary manslaughter case and that any bail requests should be brought before the high court.

The Lagos State Police Command detained Ogbonna, a 37-year-old vehicle trader from Lagos, in connection with Abimbola’s killing in Lekki.

After 16 years of marriage, Ikechukwu and Abimbola have five children together.

However, there were several arguments throughout the marriage, along with reports of domestic abuse.

The pair was claimed to have reconciled after splitting up at the height of their argument.

However, on Saturday, October 15, a fire broke out at their Lekki residence, trapping Abimbola inside.

She was taken to the hospital in a hurry, but died there from her wounds.

However, the deceased’s family demanded justice while accusing the police of a cover-up, intimidation, and an attempt to compel them to deal with Ogbonna outside of court and dismiss the charges against him.

The family further claimed that Ogbonna’s charges were modified from “manslaughter” to “negligence” by the police in order to make them more amenable to release.

The family’s attorney, Mr. Odiana Eriata, testified in court that the case of domestic violence should have been thoroughly investigated and that the offender should have been charged appropriately.