A coalition of women’s rights advocates, legal practitioners, and concerned Nigerians gathered in Ikeja on Tuesday to demand justice for Bimbo Ogbonna, the late wife of popular auto dealer Okechukwu Ogbonna, also known as IVD, two years after her death under mysterious circumstances.
Though the case was scheduled to be heard yesterday, when the defense counsel was expected to present their case, the hearing was delayed as Judge Nichole Clay was reported to be attending a conference.
The advocates, determined to see justice for the late Bimbo, later gathered at the NBA Center to address the press regarding the status of the case.
It will be recalled that Bimbo Ogbonna died from multiple burns on October 12, 2022, following an alleged domestic violence incident at their Lekki residence.
Despite compelling evidence of long-standing abuse, including a 2020 exposé, justice has yet to be served.
It was gathered from an eyewitness that in a desperate attempt to escape her abusive situation, Bimbo allegedly set their house ablaze after enduring a brutal beating from IVD on the 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 Nigerian public to join the coalition in demanding justice for Bimbo, expressing concern over the delay in the dispensation of justice.
In her words, “We are here because we are concerned citizens. With the rising cases of femicide worldwide, this case should have reached a conclusion by now. Justice delayed is justice denied, and two years after Bimbo’s death, we are still waiting.”
She emphasized that Bimbo’s ultimate sacrifice would not be forgotten and promised that efforts would continue to secure 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. Ojo said, “We have good laws in place, but enforcement is lacking.” She also called for increased support for survivors and the families of victims, including Bimbo’s children, who are now left without their mother.
The advocates promised to stand with Bimbo’s family and children, stressing that she will not have died in vain. “Bimbo is gone, but her spirit lives on in every woman still enduring domestic violence today. We speak for those women who have no voice.”
Lagos-based legal practitioner Barrister Odiana Eriata, holding a watching brief for Bimbo’s family, disclosed that the prosecution has already established its case against IVD, calling five witnesses before closing its arguments. However, the defendant has yet to present his defense, prompting a request for an accelerated hearing.
“What we are interested in is that the case be given accelerated attention. We do not want to make premature statements or prejudge a case still before the court, but that does not mean we are not interested in seeing progress,” said Barrister Eriata.
He further alleged that IVD might be out of the country, raising concerns that the defendant, who had been granted bail and whose passport was supposedly in the custody of the court, had obtained another passport and traveled abroad.
“As we speak, the defendant has allegedly secured another passport and left the country. He is reportedly boasting that the case will be adjourned indefinitely, and nothing will come of it. This gave me the reason to fly in from abroad, only to be disappointed that the matter didn’t proceed today,” Eriata lamented.
He expressed respect for the judge’s schedule but called on the judiciary, including the Chief Judge and other relevant authorities, to ensure that justice is not delayed in this matter.
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 and other victims of domestic violence.
The groups reaffirmed their commitment to fighting for victims of domestic violence, urging anyone experiencing abuse to speak up, so perpetrators can be held accountable.
