A Nigerian man, Olubunmi Abodunde, has been sentenced to life imprisonment in the United Kingdom for fatally beating his wife with their son’s skateboard. According to reports from LIB, Abodunde, 48, and Taiwo Abodunde, 41, relocated to the UK from Nigeria with their children in 2022. While Taiwo secured a job as a health care assistant nurse at a care home in Cambridge, her husband, trained as a civil engineer, struggled to find employment in his field and worked at Tesco and Wickes. Financial disputes often arose between the couple due to bills and money matters.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The sentencing took place on May 9, 2024, at Ipswich Crown Court, where Abodunde was convicted of killing Taiwo at their residence on Exning Road in Newmarket, Suffolk, on November 28, 2023, just a day after being bailed by police. Despite initially pleading not guilty, he changed his plea to guilty during the third day of his trial.
Judge Martyn Levett characterized the assault as “cold-blooded and callous” and handed Abodunde a mandatory life sentence with a minimum term of 17 years before parole eligibility.
During the trial, it was revealed that Abodunde was a jealous individual who frequently accused his wife of infidelity. Arguments and violence were commonplace in their marriage, often revolving around financial matters.
Abodunde had been arrested on November 27 after a dispute and was released on bail with instructions not to return home or contact his wife. However, he violated these conditions and returned the following day, fatally attacking Taiwo between 9:12 am and 9:20 am. Her injuries indicated she had been strangled and stamped on.
Following his change of plea, the jury returned a guilty verdict. Suffolk Police is currently facing scrutiny for potential misconduct regarding their prior interactions with Mrs. Abodunde before her tragic death. The department has referred the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for investigation.
Detective Inspector Dan Connick of Suffolk Police expressed hope that the sentence would provide some solace to those affected by Taiwo Abodunde’s murder, particularly her family and friends, while reaffirming the department’s support for them during this difficult time.