ADVOCATES DEMAND SWIFT JUSTICE FOR BIMBO OGBONNA, TWO YEARS AFTER HER TRAGIC DEATH
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
A coalition of women’s rights advocates and legal practitioners gathered today to demand justice for Bimbo Ogbonna, two years after her death in a domestic violence incident allegedly involving her husband, Efechukwu Ogbonna, popularly known as IVD.
The hearing for the case, which was scheduled for today, did not take place, leaving the advocates frustrated but determined in their pursuit of justice.
Bimbo Ogbonna, wife of celebrity businessman IVD, died from severe burns on October 12, 2022, after an alleged domestic violence incident at their Lekki residence. Despite evidence pointing to long-standing abuse, including a 2020 exposé by Bimbo herself, justice remains elusive.
Eyewitnesses reported that Bimbo, in a desperate attempt to escape her abusive situation, set their house ablaze after enduring a brutal beating from IVD on that fateful day.
Leading the group of advocates, Toyin Ndidi Taiwo-Ojo, a legal practitioner and Executive Director of the Stop the Abuse Against Women and Children Foundation, addressed the media alongside fellow advocates .
“We are here because we are concerned citizens. With the rising cases of femicide worldwide, this case should have reached a conclusion by now,” said Ojo. “Justice delayed is justice denied, and two years after Bimbo’s death, we are still waiting.”
“Her ultimate sacrifice will not be forgotten,” Ojo emphasized, recalling Bimbo’s fight against 19 years of domestic abuse that had sparked national outrage. “We condemn the ongoing delays in prosecuting IVD, which perpetuate a culture of impunity surrounding femicide and domestic violence.”
The coalition demanded the swift prosecution and conviction of IVD, alongside stronger enforcement of existing domestic violence laws. “We have good laws in place, but enforcement is lacking,” the advocates noted, calling for increased support for survivors and the families of victims, such as Bimbo’s children who are now left without a mother.
Standing in solidarity with Bimbo’s family, particularly her children, Ojo and fellow advocates stressed that Bimbo’s memory lives on. “Bimbo is gone, but her spirit lives in every woman still enduring domestic violence today. We speak for those women who have no voice.”
Also, Odiana Eriata, Counsel holding watching brief for the nominal complainants (Bimbo’s family) while speaking to the press, mentioned that so far, the prosecution has called in five witnesses in the matter and has closed it’s case.
Meanwhile, the defendant is yet to open it’s case while calling for accelerated hearing of the matter.
He said, “What we are interested on is that the case be given accelerated hearing. We do not want to make statements or pre-judge a case that is still before the court but that does not mean that we are not interested in the case being given accelerated hearing.
He added that there are alleged information that the defendant 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 control of the court had obtained another passport.
“The defendant 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 eventually 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.
“I really pray everyone of you, while we respect the tight schedule of the administrative judge who is 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.”
Several non-governmental organizations, including Tonia Bruise But Not Broken, Stop the Abuse Against Women and Children Foundation, Bimbo Odukoya Foundation, Center Against Injustice and Domestic Violence, Women Arise, Child Protection Network, and Lagos Women 2030 joined in the justice campaign.
In their closing remarks, the group urged individuals currently facing domestic violence to seek help. “If you are in an abusive situation, there is help available. The Lagos State Domestic Violence and Response Agency offers free services, and so do we. You do not have to suffer in silence,” they encouraged.
The advocates reaffirmed their commitment to fighting for justice, not only for Bimbo but for all victims of domestic violence, demanding an end to the cycle of abuse and impunity that continues to claim lives.
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