An Ebute Meta Magistrate Court in Lagos on Tuesday, January 31, ordered the remand of auto dealer Ikechukwu Daryl Ogbonna, popularly known as IVD, over the death of his wife, Abimbola Martins-Ogbonna.
Magistrate Adebayo Kafayat Tella, made the order following advice by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Lagos State, which indicted Ogbonna for involuntary manslaughter.
Reading out the DPP’s 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. 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.
Bimbo sustained injuries in a fire incident after a dispute with IVD in their residence in Megamound Estate, Lekki on October 15, 2022. She was rushed to a hospital where she died as a result of the injuries she sustained.
IVD was arrested by the Lagos State Police Command and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba.
The couple had been married for 16 years, with five children. The marriage, however, was had series of disagreement and alleged domestic violence.
It was gathered that the deceased had confronted IVD over alleged repeated assault and maltreatment. A fight resulted in their house being set ablaze. While IVD escaped with minor burns, Bimbo died after she was hospitalized as a result of the incident.
