Abimbola Martins-Ogbonna: The Pain Lingers

Exactly a year after the death of Mrs. Abimbola Martins-Ogbonna on October 15, 2022, in a fire incident allegedly instigated by her estranged husband, Ikechukwu Ogbonna, the family is still trying to come into terms with her unfortunate demise even as they call for justice after the police charged the husband for manslaughter and domestic violence. Raheem Akingbolu writes.

One year after the death of Abimbola, nee Martins, the family is yet to come to terms with her untimely death and to worsen their pains is the fact that the case against the husband, Ikechukwu Ogbonna, popularly known as IVD, has been dragging on with the family calling for the case to be expedited on so the family could have a closure and move on with their lives.

Bimbo died from injuries she sustained from a fire incident during a scuffle with her husband in their Megamond Estate, Lekki home. A year after the incident, the case is still in court and would be coming for hearing again on Monday October 23 this year.

When Bimbo, it was a culmination of years of domestic violence she had allegedly suffered in the hands of the husband. Sources close to the family told THISDAY that even appeals were made to the lady to walk out of the marriage so as not to meet untimely death. And when the fracas that led to her death last October broke out, it was seen as one of their regular scuffles. But little did her loved ones know it would be the last.

Shortly after her death, the husband was arrested and charged for criminal negligence. This was as per the case file submitted to the Lagos State director or public prosecution, DPP. However, the DPP changed the case charge to manslaughter and domestic violence and the case is currently being held in a Lagos high court.

The case was going on till the last break by the Judiciary. And after the break, the case was due for hearing again on Tuesday October 3rd but the husband and the accused, Ikechukwu, had sent a doctor’s report to the court that he was not feeling too well. The court admitted the report and adjourned the case till Monday October 23rd.

Even before the case was called, the family had, last year, accused the police of cover-up as pressure was put on the family to settle out of court. The family had accused a retired commissioner of police of being the one behind Ogbonna and the attempt to coerce the family into settlement even as the family alleged that Ogbonna referred to that same former police senior officer on being his “godfather” in one of his statements. The family also claimed that when Ogbonna ‘s whereabouts were unknown immediately after his wife was involved in the fire mishap, which eventually killed her, he was alleged to have holed up in the former police boss’ house.

In fact, in a twist that left observers wondering what was going on, Bimbo’s mother, Mrs. Comfort Martins, was surprisingly arrested by the police allegedly on the orders of Ogbonna who, in a petition to the police, accused the old woman of stealing $20,000 when she came to his house. The woman was later released but many people knew it was nothing but diversionary tactics and another attempt to ensure the family agreed to come to a negotiating table so they could agree to an out of court settlement.

Wisdom Martins, the spokesperson for the family who was also arrested with Mrs. Comfort Martins, said it was not only unfortunate but laughable that Ogbonna would come with such a ridiculous accusation. “It was all trumped-up charges to intimidate the family and change the narrative.”

The family said a team of experts including police, department for domestic violence in Lagos State and fire department all went to inspect the crime scene.

“They had to take him to accompany them because the first time they went, and we were not there then, the house was locked. So, the breaking of the house to do the examination and forensics was done in his presence as Ogbonna lives in a gated estate and only permission from him could grant any visitor or family members access into the estate. So let it be on record that the only time Mama and other members of our family went to IK’s house was that day. So how Mama or any of us had access to his house to steal money is not just stupid but figment of his imagination.”

Speaking further, the Martins said immediately after the incident and even days before his sister died, (Bimbo died days after the fire incident) Ogbonna was nowhere to be found only to do a voice note that he did not abscond but was running around to raise money for hospital bills; adding that he was all that time hiding in the former police commissioner’s house.

Speaking to THISDAY from her Abuja home earlier in the week, the elder sister of the deceased, Mrs. Folasade Osi Samuels, said it has been tough for the family coping with the death of their beloved sister and daughter in the last one year.

Going emotional, Mrs Osi Samuels said her sister did not deserve the kind of fate that befell her in the name of marriage. She explained that before her death, she had been subjected to series of domestic violent acts in the hands of her husband. She thanked her extended family members and Nigerians for their support.

“It has not been easy, emotionally, both for myself and my siblings as well as mama in the last one year. But the Lord has been faithful. And I want to thank Nigerians for their support and prayers during this difficult one year. Bimbo was a sweet soul who didn’t deserve what happened to her. And that is why we are trusting the authorities would do the needful and see that justice is not only done but seen to have been done. Since the case is in court of competent jurisdiction, there are certain things we cannot say. Once again, I thank Nigerians for their support and prayers and I call on them to keep the issue on front burner of public discourse and ensure that Bimbo gets the justice she deserves,” Mrs. Samuels said.

Perhaps, the family can have a closure after and pray for a final repose of the soul of the poor lady.