2 Years After,Advocates Call For Speedy Trial Of IVD Over Wife’s Death

A coalition of women’s rights,legal practitioners and concerned Nigerians gathered in Ikeja on Tuesday to demand justice for Bimbo Ogbonna, wife of popular auto dealer, Okeckuwu Ogbonna popularly known as IVD two years after her death in circumstances shrouded in mystery.

Though,the case was to be heard yesterday ,when the defence counsel was expected to open defence , but it couldn’t ,as it was reported that the judge,Nichole Clay was at a conference.

The Advocates,who were determined to see justice for the late Bimbo later gathered at the NBA center to address the press on the situation of the matter.

It will be recalled that Bimbo Ogbonna,wife of auto dealer IVD,died from multiple burns on October 12 ,2022,after an alleged domestic violence incident at their Lekki residence.

But despite convincing evidence of long- standing abuse,including a 2020 expose, justice is yet to be served.

It was earlier gathered from an eye witness ,that in a desperate attempt to escape her abusive situation,set their house ablaze after enduring a brutal beating from IVD on the fateful day of the incident.

The Advocates led by Barrister Toyin Taiwo Ojo,a legal practitioner and Executive Director of the Stop The Abuse Against Women and Children Foundation,called on the people of Nigeria to join the coalition in demanding justice for the late Bimbo, adding that the delay in dispensation of justice calls for concern on their part.

In her words; ” we are here because we are concerned citizens. With the rising cases of femicide worldwide,this case should have reached conclusion by now. Justice delayed is justice denied and two years after Bimbo’s death,we are still waiting, “she said.

the ultimate prize paid by Bimbo will not be forgotten, but promised efforts will be geared towards getting justice for her .

“Her ultimate sacrifice will not be forgotten. We condemn the ongoing delays in prosecuting IVD,which perpetuate a culture of impunity surrounding femicide and domestic violence “.

The Coalition demanded swift prosecution and conviction of IVD alongside stronger enforcement of existing domestic violence laws.

She said;” We have good laws in place, but enforcement is lacking,while the advocates called increased support for survivors and families of victims ,such as Bimbo’s children,who are now left without a mother The Advocates promised to stand with Bimbo’s family and Children ,stressing that she will not die in vain.

“Bimbo is gone, but her spirit lives in every woman still enduring domestic violence today. We speak for those women who have no voice.”

A Lagos based legal practitioner,who is holding brief for Bimbo’s family,Barrister Odiana Eriata disclosed that so far,the prosecution has established the case against IVD and called five witnesses in the matter and has closed its case,while the defendant is yet to open its case, thus requesting for accelerated hearing of the matter.

In his words;”What we are interested on is that the case be given accelerated heat. We do not want to make statements or pre-judge a case that is still before the court, but that does not mean we are not interested in the case being given accelerated hearing.”

He posited that it is being alleged that the defendant, IVD,is out of the country and therefore ,petitions have been made to various agencies to investigate that the defendant ,who was granted bail and whose passport was purportedly under the custody of the court had obtained another passport with which he traveled with.

In his words “the defendant as we speak has allegedly obtained another passport and has now travelled out of the shores of this country. That same defendant is boasting that this case is going to be adjourned perpetually and that nothing will happen,so,that gave me so much reason to fly in from outside the country a day before today and only to be surprised that the matter won’t go on today. “

Continuing “while I respect the tight schedule of the administrative judge handling this matter,and to do all that she needs to do, we are praying that the entire judiciary,the Chief judge,the admin judge and everyone gets involved to ensure that justice is done, not just that justice is done and the delay involved is also not perpetually observed in this matter,” Odiana concluded.

Several non-governmental organizations including; Tonia Bruised,But Not Broken,Stop The Abuse Against Women and Children,Centre Against Injustice and Domestic Violence (CAIDOV),Women Arise,Child protection network and Lagos women 2030 joined in the campaign for justice for Bimbo ans other domestic violence victims.

The groups reiterated their resolve to continue to fight for victims of domestic violence ,urging all in domestic Violence to speak up, so that perpetrators will be deterred from further abuses.