Court fixes March 30 for IVD trial over wife’s death

A Lagos state high court in Ikeja has fixed March 30 for the commencement of the trial of Ikechukwu Ogbonna, the car dealer better known as IVD. 

Modupe Nicole-Clay, the judge, on Monday delivered the verdict when IVD appeared before the court for alleged involuntary manslaughter.

The Lagos-based businessman has been in the public eye since Bimbo, his wife, died in October last year.

A sister to Bimbo had accused IVD of killing his wife at their residence in Lekki.

In February, the car dealer was remanded by the state magistrate court in Ebute Meta in a judgment delivered by Adebayo Kafayat Tella. 

The court ordered that he be remanded on charges of involuntary manslaughter.

However, during the Monday hearing, IVD pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge.

Adeshola Bello, the state prosecutor, had told the court that there was a mix-up in the date the alleged offence was committed.

Bello also sought the court to allow the prosecution permission to make an amendment — which the court granted.

“We have on record October 10, 2022, but the actual date of the incident was October 12. We pray for the indulgence of the court to make an amendment on the date,” the prosecutor said. 

On his part, Victor Ogunde, the defence counsel, sought the court to grant the defendant bail following his arraignment. 

He added that the suit against his client was with a different charge number.

Nicole-Clay, however, questioned the defence counsel for bringing a bail application despite the fact that the defendant has been on bail since March 1.

The judge thereafter adjourned the case till March 30 for the commencement of trial.