Court remands Lagos auto dealer, IVD over death of his wife, Bimbo

An Ebute Meta Magistrates? 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 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 for 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 until 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, and had five children.

The marriage, however, was fraught with disagreement and alleged domestic violence.

It was gathered that the deceased had confronted IVD over alleged repeated assault and maltreatment.

The fight resulted in their house being set ablaze. While he escaped with minor burns, Bimbo was not so lucky.