•As Police Demand Justice
The trial of a Lagos-based auto dealer, Ikechukwu Ogbonna, over the death of his wife, Abimbola, on Monday, continued before Justice Modupe Nichole-Clay of a Lagos High Court, Ikeja, with the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, demanding justice.
In its testimony before the court, the Zone 2 Command Headquarters of the Nigeria Police, through Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP, Fetuga Olatunji, while being led in evidence by counsel to the Lagos State Government, LASG, Adeshola Bello, revealed that the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG, in charge of the zone had directed him and his team to investigate the case.
Olatunji further confirmed that it was the late Abimbola who filed a petition against her husband, Ikechukwu, before her demise.
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 information 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.”
While adjourning the matter until December 13, 2023, for continuation of trial, 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.
It would be recalled that in its charge designated LD/21055C/2023, the LASG is accusing the auto dealer of the involuntary manslaughter of Abimbola, who died in a fire incident at their residence in the Lekki area of the state, allegedly caused by Ikechukwu.
The offence, according to the prosecution, is contrary to Section 229 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.
The charge has, however, been amended to include another count charge which reads: “Causing Death” by threat”, contrary to Section 217 of the criminal law of Lagos State.
The LASG had arraigned the auto dealer on a count bordering on involuntary manslaughter before the trial court
But Ikechukwu pleaded not guilty to the charge and trial had commenced before the trial judge.
All rights reserved. This material and other digital volumes on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from THE NEWS ACCELERATOR NETWORK.
For advert placement, please contact thenewsacceleratornetwork@gmail.com or 08033599492.
إرسال تعليق