Tobias Sylvester
The family of late Bimbo Ogbonna, wife of a celebrity car dealer, Ikechukwu Ogbonna, popularly known as IVD Autos, has appealed to members of the public to join them in demanding justice over the death of their daughter.
KanyiDaily had reported how Bimbo died in a hospital after getting into a scuffle with her husband and setting herself ablaze at their mansion in Megamound Estate, Lekki, Lagos.
It was gathered that Bimbo set herself ablaze after being assaulted by her husband while confronting him over the constant beatings she receives from him since their marriage.
IVD escaped with minor injuries while Bimbo suffered severe burns and was rushed to the Intensive Care Unit of a Lagos hospital where she received treatment for some days before she gave up the ghost on Saturday morning.
Following her death, Bimbo’s sister, Mama Jazz accused the car dealer of killing his wife. She alleged that that IVD pushed Bimbo into the fire, watched her burn, and also made a video of her burning in the fire.
But IVD denied the allegations in a series of posts shared on his Instagram page, where he also narrated his own side of the story with evidence.
He also shared videos of his deceased wife damaging his cars and properties, alleging that she was fond of unleashing violence anytime they quarreled.
Bimbo’s Family Demands Justice Against IVD
In a statement on Monday, Bimbo’s family said her demise is heartbreaking for them as well as her five children, noting that “Ogbonna has been on the run” since his wife’s death.
The family also demanded justice while saying that law enforcement is making effort to apprehend the car dealer to “answer for his crime”.
The statement reads, “As you may be aware, on Saturday 15th October 2022, Abimbola Martins passed away after suffering fatal burns in a fire incident at her Lagos home.
“It has been a heartbreaking period for her parents, siblings and particularly, her children. It is a tragedy that nobody should go through, especially in the painful manner her life was cut short and at the hands of a husband she dedicated her life to.
“We are appreciative of the comments of millions of Nigerians who have expressed thoughts and prayers, as well as anger that a beautiful life was brought to an end through well-documented domestic violence.
“Several times during the course of their marriage, we intervened in a bid to rescue her from a terrible situation that ultimately has now taken her life.
“Abimbola was a loving individual and a committed wife and mother, who put the desire that her children were raised by two parents before her own peace of mind, happiness and well-being.
“The perpetrator of this dastardly act, her husband of 16 years, Ikenna Darryl Ogbonna, an auto dealer widely known as IVD, is currently on the run, hoping to evade justice. We know that it won’t be forever.
“As the family tries to come to terms with this terrible loss, we want to appeal to members of the public to join us in demanding that justice is done. We are currently working with law enforcement to ensure that Ikenna Darryl Ogbonna is found and made to answer for his crime.
“Finally, we would like to also appeal to the public to join us in praying for the repose of her soul and her five young children who have lost their mother in a most tragic manner. It is a pain that no child should have to go through. #JUSTICEFORABIMBOLA.”
KanyiDaily recalls that Bimbo’s brother, Oyindamola Martins also said his family members believe Bimbo and IVD had a blood covenant because she kept going back to him even with all that was going on in their toxic marriage.
