An Ebute Meta Magistrates Court has remanded Lagos auto dealer Ikechukwu Ogbonna, popularly known as IVD, over the death of his wife Abimbola Martins-Ogbonna.
Magistrate Adebayo Kafayat Tella gave the order on Tuesday following the advice of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Lagos State, which indicted Ogbonna for involuntary manslaughter.
Mrs Tella said the defendant should be remanded pending the filing of information against him and his arraignment before the Lagos High Court.
Defence counsel Abubakar Yesufu, however, prayed the court to release the defendant based on earlier bail conditions granted him.
But Magistrate Tella held that she lacked the jurisdiction to entertain a case of involuntary manslaughter, hence all bail applications should be presented before the high court.
She adjourned till March 7, 2023.
Bimbo died from injuries sustained in a fire incident in their residence in Megamound Estate, Lekki on October 15, 2022.
Her family accused IVD of pushing his wife into the fire and watching her burn.
She was rushed to a hospital where she died as a result of the injuries she sustained.
IVD was arrested by the Lagos State Police Command and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba.
The 37-year-old was married to his wife for 16 years.
