Nigerian man, Olubunmi Abodunde, has been sentenced to life in prison for the brutal murder of his wife Taiwo Abodunde. The attack involved strangulation and repeated blows with a skateboard in November 2023 at their home in Newmarket, Suffolk.

The victim was found dead after officers delayed entering the property for 35 minutes despite hearing disturbing noises inside. The police response has sparked mixed reactions, leading to an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Two officers, including a probationary officer and police constable, arrived at the scene at 9:20 a.m. on November 28, 2023. They were there to take a statement from Mrs. Abodunde regarding a previous domestic violence incident.

Her husband had been arrested the day before for allegedly assaulting her but was released on bail with orders to stay away. According to DailyMail, he returned the next morning, claiming he needed his phone.

Instead of intervening, the officers waited outside and consulted their supervisor, an acting sergeant, on whether they had legal grounds to enter. During this time, Mrs. Abodunde was brutally attacked and killed.

Witnesses reported hearing up to 50 loud bangs, later determined to be the sound of the ongoing assault. When officers finally entered at 9:55 a.m., they found Mrs. Abodunde’s body with fatal head injuries.

A post-mortem confirmed she had been strangled, stomped on, and beaten with a skateboard. The IOPC launched an investigation into the delayed police response, leading to gross incompetence hearings for the PC and acting sergeant. The probationary officer resigned and will not face disciplinary action.

Olubunmi Abodunde claimed self-defense, but no evidence supported his claim. He was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 17 years. The misconduct hearings for the officers involved are pending.

#Clique, what are your thoughts?