The Lagos State Government, by way of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), has officially lodged a case of involuntary manslaughter against Ikechukwu Ogbonna, a Lagos-based auto dealer, within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Lagos, Ikeja.
This legal action stems from the tragic demise of his wife, Abimbola, who tragically lost her life in a fire that engulfed their residence in the Lekki district of the State.
Subsequently, the charges have been updated to incorporate an additional count.
The Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has brought forward an accusation of involuntary manslaughter against the auto dealer, in direct violation of Section 229 of the Criminal Law of Lagos.
Ikechukwu, the accused, has entered a plea of not guilty in response to the charge, and the trial is now underway, presided over by Justice Modupe Nicole-Clay.
During the trial, DSP Fetuga Olatunji, who was called to the witness stand by the legal representative of the Lagos State Government, confirmed that it was the late Abimbola who had submitted a petition against her husband before her unfortunate passing.
According to DSP Olatunji, “The AIG gave a directive to effect the arrest of the defendant (Ikechukwu) for attempted murder, threat to life, domestic violence, and conduct likely to cause the breach of peace.
“When we learnt that the matter was reported at the Ajah Police Station, a signal was sent that both the case file and the suspect be transferred to the zonal headquarters.
“My team obtained a statement from Abimbola’s mother because she (Abimbola) was not in the right state of health.
“However, two days later, and while waiting for the case file alongside the suspect to be brought to Zone 2, another information came that Abimbola had died.
“At that point, the AIG ordered that the matter should be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Panti, for proper investigation.”
Meanwhile, during cross-examination by counsel for the defence, Victor Ogunde (SAN), the witness stated that he and his team were unable to obtain from the defendant (Ikechukwu) on the reason that he was nowhere to be found and that his phones were switched off.
In his words: “Every concluded investigation must have a police report.
“The reason we didn’t have a report is because the investigation on the case was not concluded by us.”
Subsequently, Justice Modupe Nicole-Clay admitted the Index to the case file, Entry of the case, Minute sheet, Statement of the witness of the complainant, Certified True Copy, CTC, of the petition, and copy of the signal to the Ajah Police Station in evidence.
The matter has been adjourned till December 13, 2023, for continuation of trial.
