In a tragic case heard by a UK court, a Nigerian man, Olubunmi Abodunde, killed his wife, Taiwo Abodunde, shortly after they relocated to the UK from Nigeria. Reports from 2023 revealed the grim outcome, leaving their three children without a mother. Despite repeated investigations by Suffolk Police into allegations of domestic violence, Olubunmi Abodunde perpetrated the fatal attack on his wife.
On April 25, 2024, Olubunmi Abodunde was scheduled to stand trial for murder but changed his plea to “guilty” after the jury was sworn in. Judge Martyn Levett warned him of the inevitable life imprisonment sentence.
Prior to Taiwo Abodunde’s tragic murder, Olubunmi Abodunde exhibited a history of jealousy and suspicion, accusing his wife of infidelity. Police had intervened in several instances of alleged domestic violence before her death.
The incident leading to Taiwo Abodunde’s death occurred on April 27, 2023, when police discovered her with a split lip at their Newmarket, Suffolk home, resulting in Olubunmi Abodunde’s arrest.
The Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating three Suffolk police officers regarding their handling of the Abodunde family’s case. The IOPC spokesman confirmed investigations for potential breaches of police standards of professional behavior, including gross misconduct.
Later that day, he was released on police bail under the condition that he refrained from returning to the marital home or contacting his wife. However, after completing a night shift at Tesco, he returned home around 9 a.m., purportedly to retrieve his mobile phone.
At 9:20 a.m., two officers arrived to obtain a statement from Mrs. Abodunde regarding the previous night’s events and heard repeated banging noises emanating from inside the residence. It wasn’t until 9:55 a.m. that they forcibly entered the premises, having obtained approval from senior officers, and discovered Mrs. Abodunde deceased near the front door.
A subsequent post-mortem examination revealed that she had been strangled until unconsciousness ensued, followed by being stomped on until her ribs fractured, before her husband utilized the skateboard to deliver fatal blows. The force of the assault was such that the skateboard sustained damage.
Prosecutor Simon Spence KC informed the court that the banging sounds the officers had heard likely corresponded to Abodunde continuing to assault his wife even after she had lost consciousness or had passed away.
During the proceedings, it emerged that the couple, parents to three children, had immigrated to the UK from Nigeria in 2022. In addition to disputes concerning alleged extramarital affairs, disagreements over financial matters, including bill payments, were commonplace.
While Mrs. Abodunde held employment as a care home assistant in Cambridge, her husband, trained as a civil engineer, struggled to secure employment in his field and resorted to working shifts at Tesco and Wickes.
Following his arrest for the murder, Abodunde was transported to the hospital due to exhibiting signs of a potential mental health episode.
In a subsequent police statement, he asserted that his actions were in self-defense, claiming, “My wife has subjected me to physical abuse for a number of years. On November 28, we got into an argument. She ran at me with a knife, I grabbed the knife and cut my hand. I was defending myself.”
However, during the court proceedings, it was revealed that although he sustained an injury to his hand, no knife was found near his wife’s body.
Nneka Akudolu KC, in defense, stated that the level of violence exhibited by her client was “completely out of character” and might have been influenced by medication he was taking. Nevertheless, she acknowledged that no medical evidence would be presented to substantiate this assertion.
Detective Inspector Dan Connick of Suffolk Police commented after the plea hearing, expressing relief that Taiwo’s family would not endure the anguish of a trial. He extended condolences to Taiwo’s family and friends, hoping that the outcome would provide some solace to them.
Taiwo Abodunde was employed at Cambridge Manor Care Home, which offers dementia, residential, and respite care. A spokesperson for the facility, owned by TLC Care, expressed deep sorrow over Taiwo’s tragic demise, describing her as a cherished member of their community.
Abodunde was remanded in custody and is scheduled for sentencing on May 9th.