An Ebute Meta Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Tuesday ordered
the remand of an auto dealer Ikechukwu Daryl Ogbonna over the death of his
wife, Abimbola Martins-Ogbonna.
Magistrate Adebayo Kafayat Tella (Mrs) made the order
following advice by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Lagos State,
which indicted Ogbonna for involuntary manslaughter.
Reading out the DPP Advice, Mrs Tella said the Defendant
should be arraigned before the Lagos High Court.
She remanded Ogbonna in custody pending the filing of
information against him and his arraignment.
Defense counsel Mr. Abubakar Yesufu however prayed the court
to release the defendant based on earlier bail conditions granted him.
But Magistrate Tella held that she lacked the jurisdiction
to entertain a case of involuntary manslaughter, hence all bail applications
should be presented before the high court.
She adjourned till March 7, 2023.
Ogbonna, a 37-year-old Lagos car dealer, was arrested by the
Lagos State Police Command over Abimbola’s death Lekki.
Ikechukwu and Abimbola had been married for 16 years with
the union blessed with five children.
The marriage, however, was fraught with disagreement and
alleged domestic violence.
At the climax of their clash, the couple separated and were
said to have reunited.
However, on Saturday, October 15, there was a fire incident
at their Lekki mansion as Abimbola was caught in the inferno.
She was rushed to a hospital where she died as a result of
the injuries she sustained.
But, the deceased’s family, while demanding justice, accused
the police of cover-up, intimidation and attempt to force the family into an
out-of-court settlement with Ogbonna and also drop charges against him.
The family also alleged that the police had changed
Ogbonna’s charges from ‘manslaughter’ to ‘negligence’ to make it easily
bailable.
The family’s lawyer, Mr. Odiana Eriata, who was in court
said that the issue of domestic violence ought to have been properly
investigated and an appropriate charge should be preferred against the culprit.