The police yesterday told a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja that investigation is yet to be concluded in the case of an auto-dealer, Ikechukwu Ogbonna, alleged to have killed his wife, Abimbola.
A Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP, Fetuga Olatunji, made this known while giving evidence before Justice Modupe Nicole-Clay.
Under cross-examination by counsel for the defence, Victor Ogunde (SAN), the witness said he and his team were unable to obtain information from the defendant, Ikechukwu, at that time because he was nowhere to be found, adding that his phones were switched off.
“Every concluded investigation must have a police report. The reason we didn’t have a report is because investigation on the case was not concluded by us.”
Earlier, while being led in evidence by counsel for the state, Adeshola Bello, the police officer informed the court that the Nigeria Police was in court to ensure justice in the case of the involuntary manslaughter charge brought against Ogbonna, over the death of his wife, Abimbola.
DSP Olatunji told the court that the AIG in charge of the zone instructed him and his team to investigate the case.
Olatunji further informed the court that it was the late Mrs. Abimbola Ogbonna who filed a petition against her husband, Ikechukwu, before her death.
The witness stated further: “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”, he said
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 in the matter.
She adjourned the matter till December 13, 2023, for continuation of trial.
In its charge designated LD/21055C/2023, Lagos State Government is accusing the auto- dealer of involuntary manslaughter of Abimbola, who died in a fire incident at their home in Lekki, Lagos, 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.
Ikechukwu pleaded not guilty to the charge.
