Olubunmi Abodunde, a Nigerian national residing in the United Kingdom, has pleaded guilty to the murder of his wife, Taiwo, using their son’s skateboard, as reported by Daily Mail.
The couple, parents to three children, relocated to the UK from Nigeria in 2022 but faced ongoing conflicts, primarily revolving around alleged extramarital affairs and disputes over household expenses.
Abodunde, aged 48, had been the subject of multiple investigations by Suffolk Police regarding domestic violence incidents. Despite being scheduled for trial, he altered his plea to guilty after the commencement of jury selection on Wednesday.
During one of the violent altercations, law enforcement officers heard disturbing noises emanating from the couple’s residence. Despite bail conditions prohibiting Abodunde from entering the property following a previous violent incident, he gained access and barricaded himself inside for approximately 25 minutes. Upon entry, authorities discovered the lifeless body of 41-year-old Taiwo, with severe head injuries sustained from the assault with the skateboard.
Judge Martyn Levett, presiding over the case at Ipswich Crown Court, cautioned Abodunde that the only conceivable sentencing option was life imprisonment.
In response to the tragic incident, Suffolk Constabulary has initiated an internal inquiry, with three officers currently under investigation by the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC).
An IOPC spokesperson stated, “We have informed two Suffolk officers that they are being investigated for potential breaches of professional conduct standards at the level of gross misconduct. Additionally, another officer is under investigation at the level of misconduct.”
Abodunde’s pattern of jealousy and suspicion, coupled with accusations of infidelity against his wife, had previously led to police intervention in domestic disputes. In April of the preceding year, he was arrested after authorities found Taiwo with a facial injury. Despite bail conditions prohibiting contact with his wife, Abodunde returned home on the morning of the incident, prompting a police response following reports of disturbances.
The tragic outcome underscores the devastating consequences of domestic violence and serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for intervention and support for victims in such situations.