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Nigerian who killed wife in UK bags life jail

Published

2 years ago

May 15, 2024

Nigerian who killed wife in UK bags life jail

In a tragic turn of events, Olubunmi Abodunde, 48, hailing from Newmarket, Suffolk, United Kingdom, has received a life sentence for the brutal killing of his 41-year-old wife, Taiwo Owoeye Abodunde, on November 28, 2023. The tragic incident saw him bludgeon his wife to death with his son’s skateboard, which was discovered stained with blood, some fragments lodged in Taiwo’s head, resulting in severe neck, head and brain injuries. Presiding over the case, Judge Martyn Levett of the Ipswich Crown Court delivered the somber verdict, marking a tragic conclusion to a family’s strife-ridden tale. With a minimum of 17 years before parole consideration, Abodunde’s jealousy and financial disputes with his wife were cited by prosecuting attorney Stephen Spence as contributing factors to the heinous crime, underscoring the corrosive impact of domestic discord.

Detective Inspector Dan Connick prosecuting said after the hearing: “This was an awful attack on a woman that has had a lasting impact on the community and most importantly on the victim’s family” and “we are pleased that Taiwo’s family will no longer have to go through the pain of a trial. Our thoughts remain with Taiwo’s family and friends and hope this result will bring some small comfort to them.”

Nneka Akudolu KC, in her defense, asserted that the level of violence displayed by her client was entirely uncharacteristic and potentially influenced by medication he may have been taking. However, she acknowledged that no medical evidence was provided to substantiate this claim. Olubunmi, who changed his plea to guilty before sentencing, reacted with shock, clasping his hand over his face, speechless, realising the stark reality that less than two years after arriving to join his wife in the UK, he would now spend his days in the desolate confines of a prison.

The absence of family banter, where children joyfully play and parents smile in contentment, now looms over his life. In a poignant victim impact statement, Kehinde Owoeye, the late Taiwo’s brother, expressed the profound and enduring trauma inflicted upon the children, who may struggle to reconcile the fact that their father is responsible for their mother’s death. Seeking solace in justice, the family implored that the law be upheld, offering a semblance of relief amid their grief. Furthermore, they requested that certain family members be permitted to visit the children, facilitating their healing process and honouring their late mother’s desire for familial support. They emphasised the importance of migration to be with their extended family, providing a nurturing environment for the children’s emotional recovery and ensuring continuity in their education, a value cherished deeply by the family. This migration, they asserted, would be instrumental in fulfilling their sister’s wish for her children’s well-being and academic advancement.

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Taiwo Abodunde was a dedicated employee at Cambridge Manor care home, renowned for her compassionate care towards residents, especially those requiring dementia, residential and respite care. TLC Care, the owner of the facility, expressed profound sorrow and shock at Taiwo’s tragic death, describing her as a cherished member of their community. Their spokesperson conveyed heartfelt condolences to her family, emphasising Taiwo’s legacy of kindness and compassion, which touched the lives of both staff and residents alike.

In contrast, Olubunmi, lacking stable employment, relied on sporadic shifts at Tesco and Wickes. In a statement to the police, he claimed self-defense, alleging years of physical abuse inflicted by his wife. However, the sequence of events paints a different picture. On November 27th, 2023, Taiwo contacted Suffolk Police, reporting an assault by Olubunmi, adding to a series of previous assault reports dating back to August 15th, 2023. Subsequently, Olubunmi was arrested on suspicion of these assaults, leading to his temporary release from police custody later that day, albeit with stringent bail conditions. The imposed bail conditions prohibited Olubunmi from returning to their shared residence and from contacting Taiwo directly or indirectly, save for arranging child contact via a third party.

The bail condition, erroneously stating 239 Exning Road, Newmarket, should have been recorded as 259 Exning Road, Newmarket. However, when Suffolk Police visited Taiwo’s residence on Tuesday, November 28th, for a scheduled meeting to gather evidence regarding the assault allegations made against Olubunmi Abodunde on November 27th, they heard disturbing noises emanating from within the house. Upon entering the residence approximately 25 minutes later, they made a chilling discovery: Taiwo, a mother of three, lifeless on the floor of her living room. The police speculated that the fatal assault likely occurred between 9:12 am and 9:20 am.

According to the police report, officers arrived at 259 Exning Road, Newmarket, Taiwo’s home address, at 9:55 am on Tuesday, November 28, 2023. Inside, they found Taiwo unresponsive on the living room floor. Despite immediate medical attention, paramedics pronounced Taiwo dead at the scene. Olubunmi, Taiwo’s husband, was discovered within the residence and promptly arrested on suspicion of her murder. He was subsequently transported to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre for interrogation and later appeared at both Ipswich Crown Court and Suffolk Magistrates’ Court for a preliminary hearing. Olubunmi asserted that on November 28th, an argument escalated, during which Taiwo allegedly brandished a knife, leading to him defending himself by grabbing the knife, resulting in an injury to his hand. However, the court was informed that although he sustained a hand injury, no knife was found near Taiwo’s body.

Prosecutor Simon Spence KC grimly informed the court that the banging heard by officers was likely the sound of Abodunde persisting in his assault on his wife, even after she had become unconscious or deceased. Following his arrest for the murder, Abodunde was taken to the hospital due to what appeared to be a mental episode. A neighbour residing near the couple’s unfortunate home in Newmarket recalled her observations, stating: “I arrived home to find the entire street swarmed with police and ambulances. Just two days prior, there were police present. I knew it was something truly terrible given the number of police and their reluctance to share information. Normally, they would provide some details, but they were exceptionally tight-lipped.”

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Another neighbor added: “It’s simply dreadful; everyone is in shock. I used to see some young boys playing in their garden.”

The three children have been placed in foster homes in Norwich, UK, and they are set to be reunited with their uncle and aunt next month when two family members will meet with them. Kehinde Owoeye, twin brother to the late Taiwo, expressed gratitude for being granted visas by the British Consulate in Lagos to visit and assess the children’s situation.

Kehinde disclosed: “I will be accompanied by my sibling, Alaba Owoeye, next month. The plan is to check on the welfare of the children, bond with them and proceed accordingly.

However, Kehinde lamented the lack of support from the Nigerian Government, stating: “Nobody reached out to check on us; we had to handle everything ourselves with the assistance of the British Police, social services and the government in general.”

Adekunle Owoeye’s social media post delivered a poignant message to their extended family, urging composure amid the anguish. Expressing gratitude to the UK Government, detectives, private investigators and the Nigerian Embassy in London for their unwavering support, Adekunle also thanked the Igogo-Ekiti community, friends and well-wishers for their solidarity and comfort during this challenging period. Addressing their mother, he acknowledged the irreplaceable loss and emphasised the need for divine solace.

Reflecting on the past 18 years as a “living nightmare” for his late sister, Adekunle recounted her journey, underscoring her aspirations for independence and academic achievement. He revealed the husband’s attempt to hinder her financial independence by withholding her academic certifications for a decade out of envy. Despite the challenges, Adekunle remained resolute in seeking justice and closure for his sister’s untimely demise.

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Elder Ayo Abodunde, the husband’s uncle, expressed profound sadness for the Owoeye family in light of the tragic events. Despite his attempts to extend condolences via phone calls, he noted their decline, understanding their emotional turmoil.

Seeking intervention from Oba Oladipupo Kolade, the Olupoti of Ipoti Ekiti, Elder Abodunde, emphasised the imperative of addressing previous issues of domestic violence and counseling for the husband. He stressed the importance of patience and understanding in marital relationships, urging conflict avoidance given the legal and familial consequences.

The late Taiwo hailed from Igogo Ekiti, while Olubunmi was from Ipoti Ekiti. Their paths crossed in 2004 during a Seventh Day Adventist Church social-religious camp in Otun Ekiti. Despite initial reluctance, Taiwo eventually acquiesced to Olubunmi’s persistent pursuit, leading to their marriage. However, their 17-year union, fraught with challenges including controlling behaviour, domestic violence, infidelity allegations and distrust, ultimately deteriorated. Kehinde Owoeye, Taiwo’s brother, recounted the escalating verbal and physical abuse inflicted by Olubunmi, underscoring the profound strain on their marriage.

The tragic events surrounding the couple’s relationship sent shockwaves through the neighboring towns of Igogo and Ekiti, where conversations about the case permeated both the airwaves and street corners following Taiwo’s passing. Kehinde Owoeye, speaking on behalf of Taiwo’s family, recounted a distressing incident from years earlier in Igogo Ekiti, where Bunmi and Taiwo engaged in a heated altercation during an event over sleeping arrangements. Reports indicated that Bunmi resorted to physical violence, even striking Taiwo and her protesting mother-in-law. The conflict was eventually mediated by the respective monarchs of the towns, namely, the Onigogo of Igogo Ekiti, HRM Oba Sunday Adewunmi, Okinbaloye I, and the Olupoti of Ipoti Ekiti, HRM Oba Sunday Adewunmi, Okinbaloye I. Expressing deep sorrow, HRM Oba Sunday Adewunmi, Okinbaloye I, conveyed his dismay at the untimely demise of Taiwo, lamenting the efforts invested by the royal house to foster reconciliation within the marriage. He underscored the guidance provided to Taiwo in their shared pursuit of a better life overseas, emphasising the heartbreaking outcome in light of their collective aspirations.

Nigerian who killed wife in UK bags life jail

The Nation

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Woman dies after husband allegedly assaults her over cooking, dance class

Published

11 minutes ago

September 9, 2026

Trends Admin

Woman dies after husband allegedly assaults her over cooking, dance class

A 38-year-old woman, Yamini Krishna Lal Yadav, has died in Nagpur, India, after her husband allegedly assaulted her during an argument over cooking and her decision to attend a dance class.

The woman’s husband, Krishna Lal Yadav, 41, has been arrested and booked in connection with her death after a post-mortem examination reportedly revealed serious internal injuries.

The incident occurred in the Mankapur area of Nagpur, Maharashtra, where the couple lived with their two young children.

According to reports, Krishna returned home from work and asked his wife to prepare food for him and the children. Yamini, however, was reportedly preparing to attend a dance class within their housing society and declined to cook at the time.

The disagreement allegedly escalated into a physical confrontation. Police said the husband was reportedly under the influence of alcohol when he allegedly assaulted Yamini around her neck and abdomen. The incident reportedly occurred in the presence of their children.

After the alleged assault, Yamini complained of severe pain in her neck and abdomen and reportedly asked her husband to get painkillers. He allegedly went to a nearby medical shop but returned after finding it closed.

Her condition later deteriorated, with her abdomen reportedly becoming swollen. She was subsequently taken to a private hospital in the area for treatment but died while receiving medical attention.

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The case initially appeared to be an accidental death, prompting police to send her body for a post-mortem examination.

However, the examination reportedly revealed a fractured neck bone and severe internal injuries, including serious damage to the intestines. Reports also indicated injuries consistent with strangulation and abdominal trauma, prompting investigators to reconsider the circumstances surrounding her death.

Following the post-mortem findings, police questioned Krishna and subsequently arrested him. A murder case was registered against him as investigations continued.

Yamini’s brother reportedly said the family was aware that the couple had experienced disagreements in the past. He said Yamini had occasionally spoken about problems in the marriage but had asked relatives not to intervene because she feared their involvement could worsen the situation.

The family initially believed Yamini had died following a medical emergency and was reportedly shocked when the post-mortem examination revealed evidence of significant physical injuries.

Police are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of the Nagpur woman, while the accused remains in custody over the allegations.

The case has renewed concerns about domestic violence, particularly the need for victims experiencing abuse to have access to timely support and protection.

Woman dies after husband allegedly assaults her over cooking, dance class

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NSCIA warns FG against weaponising state institutions in El-Rufai case

Published

56 minutes ago

September 9, 2026

Trends Admin

Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede

NSCIA warns FG against weaponising state institutions in El-Rufai case

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs breaks its silence on the former governor’s legal ordeal, citing “serious concerns” over possible sectarian agenda in the multiple prosecutions keeping El-Rufai in the spotlight.

ABUJA – The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has raised the alarm over what it described as “an extraneous involvement of an underlying religious bias” in the ongoing prosecutions of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai. The Islamic body, which had deliberately stayed out of the controversy until now, said recent developments had forced it to break its silence on the matter. In a statement signed by its Secretary-General and immediate-past Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, the NSCIA explained that its earlier restraint was based on its belief that El-Rufai’s prosecution, like those involving other political figures, was a standard judicial process and that the judiciary had the inherent capacity to uphold justice. However, the council said recent developments in the public domain had raised serious concerns that strongly suggested religious considerations might be creeping into a process that should be determined solely by law and evidence.

The NSCIA called on the Federal Government and the Judiciary to ensure that individuals with vested religious interests were strictly prevented from weaponising public institutions or the legal system to pursue what it described as a sectarian agenda against El-Rufai. “Consequently, the Council calls upon the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Judiciary to ensure that individuals with vested religious interests are strictly prevented from weaponizing public institutions or the legal system to execute a sectarian agenda against him,” the statement read. The council stressed that its position was anchored on the Islamic principle of justice and fairness, regardless of political, religious or personal considerations, and clarified that its intervention was not intended to interfere with the judicial process but to emphasise the need for justice to be administered without religious or sectarian considerations. The Islamic body also appealed to the general public to refrain from incendiary comments that could prejudice the fair trial of El-Rufai or exacerbate the security situation in the nation. “Furthermore, the Council appeals to the general public to refrain from incendiary comments that could prejudice the fair trial of Mallam El-Rufai or exacerbate the security situation in our nation,” the statement read.

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The NSCIA‘s intervention comes against the backdrop of a protracted legal battle that has kept El-Rufai in the spotlight since February 2026. The former governor is facing multiple prosecutions by different agencies on charges bordering on alleged abuse of office, money laundering, breach of national security, and wiretapping. The council’s decision to speak out followed comments by the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), who accused El-Rufai of planning killings in Southern Kaduna while he was governor between 2015 and 2023. Musa had described the situation in Kaduna during El-Rufai’s administration as “toxic”, adding that many residents of Southern Kaduna remained unhappy with the former governor over killings recorded in the area.

El-Rufai, through his family, rejected the allegation and demanded that the minister withdraw the claim, with his eldest son, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, giving Musa seven days to provide evidence supporting the allegation or publicly retract it. The controversy generated by Musa’s remarks has further widened the debate surrounding El-Rufai’s legal battles, with the NSCIA‘s intervention effectively placing the prosecution within a wider debate over the alleged politicisation and religious manipulation of state institutions. The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has taken a sharply divergent position, backing the Defence Minister’s allegations and demanding an independent investigation into alleged killings and human rights abuses during El-Rufai’s administration, with possible prosecution before the International Criminal Court (ICC). The NSCIA’s intervention, which did not identify any individual or group it accused of pursuing a religious agenda, serves as a significant development in a case that has become a flashpoint for broader debates about judicial independence, political persecution, and religious neutrality in Nigeria’s legal system.

The council concluded its statement by praying for peace, stability and security in Nigeria. “May Almighty Allah grant peace, stability, and security to Nigeria,” it said.

NSCIA warns FG against weaponising state institutions in El-Rufai case

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Bandits abduct Kaduna lawmaker’s brother, kill three KADVS operatives

Published

2 hours ago

September 9, 2026

Trends Admin

Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State, CP Muhammad Rabiu

Bandits abduct Kaduna lawmaker’s brother, kill three KADVS operatives

Suspected bandits have abducted the younger brother of a Kaduna State lawmaker and killed three personnel of the Kaduna State Vigilance Service (KADVS) in separate attacks in Kubau Local Government Area of the state.

The incidents, which occurred within hours of each other, have heightened security concerns in Pambegua and surrounding communities, with the attacks taking place along the Zaria-Pambegua axis before the lawmaker’s brother was abducted from his residence.

The KADVS Public Relations Officer, Yunusa Ibrahim, confirmed the incidents in a statement issued on Tuesday.

Ibrahim identified the abducted victim as Sanusi, the younger brother of Shehu Pambegua, who represents Kubau Constituency in the Kaduna State House of Assembly.

According to the KADVS spokesman, the suspected attackers arrived at Sanusi’s residence in a Sharon vehicle at about 10pm on Monday and forcibly took him away.

The abduction came after three KADVS personnel were killed earlier in the day while carrying out a routine security operation in the area.

The deceased personnel were identified as Dallami Dantani, the Second-in-Command of KADVS in Kubau, Abdullahi Hamisu and Zakariyya Musa.

Ibrahim said the incident began when the vigilantes attempted to stop a red Volkswagen Golf Salon during a routine check, but the driver allegedly refused to comply.

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The KADVS personnel reportedly pursued the vehicle in their patrol van in an effort to identify the occupants and establish why they were travelling through the area.

The occupants allegedly opened fire during the pursuit, killing Dantani.

The attackers reportedly turned back towards the KADVS office after the initial shooting and opened fire on the personnel there, killing Hamisu and Musa before escaping towards Zaria.

The killings occurred hours before Sanusi was reportedly abducted from his residence, creating renewed anxiety among residents and security personnel in the area.

Reacting to the deaths, the Kaduna State Commander of KADVS, CP Ali Audu (rtd.), condoled with the families of the three personnel and described their deaths as a major loss to the service.

Audu praised the deceased personnel for their courage and commitment to duty, assuring their families that their sacrifices would be remembered.

He also pledged the continued support of the service to the bereaved families.

The KADVS commander disclosed that security surveillance had been intensified in Pambegua and neighbouring communities as efforts continued to locate the abducted victim and identify those responsible for the attacks.

He urged KADVS personnel to remain vigilant while carrying out their duties and strengthen collaboration with other security agencies, particularly in communities regarded as vulnerable to bandit attacks and kidnapping.

Audu reaffirmed the service’s commitment to protecting residents and property across Kaduna State.

As of the latest reports, authorities have not announced the arrest of any suspect or the rescue of Sanusi. The circumstances surrounding his abduction remain under investigation as security agencies intensify efforts to locate him and bring those responsible for the attacks to justice.

The latest incidents have further underscored the security challenges facing parts of Kaduna State, where residents have continued to contend with threats linked to banditry, kidnapping and armed attacks.