More information has emerged concerning the murd3r of Taiwo Owoeye Abodunde, a former ophthalmic nurse at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, by her husband, Olubunmi Abodunde.
It has been revealed that Abodunde was picked up from their residence in Newmarket, Suffolk, the United Kingdom (UK) on November 27, 2023 by the police after his wife reported that he assaulted her that day and at least one other occasion on August 15, 2023.
The police detained Olubunmi Abodunde from the morning when he was arrested till about 6 pm when he was released on bail with an order to find an alternative place to stay and never return to the residence he shared with his wife.
He was also told not to directly it indirectly contact his wife except through a third party when initiating contact with the children they shared.
No information is available on where Abodunde slept overnight, but early in the morning of the following day he was inside the apartment he was forbidden to enter and he successfully strangled his wife to death.
A police team following up on the case reported by his wife the previous day entered the 259 Exning Road, Newmarket, address of the couple at 9:55 am on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 with a view to gathering more evidence from Taiwo only to find that she was lying lifelessly in the living room.
The husband who was forbidden from entering the flat was also found there and was promptly arrested.
Paramedics confirmed that Taiwo was dead and made arrangements to move her body to the mortuary while Abodunde was moved to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre for questioning.
He later appeared at Ipswich Crown Court and Suffolk Magistrates’ Court for a preliminary hearing.
The police are now reviewing the entire case with a view to ascertaining if they could have done more to avert the sad fate that befell Taiwo, considering that she reached out to them for protection at least 24 hours before her demise.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is now investigating the force’s response.
A spokesperson for the IOPC said: “We can confirm we have received a referral from Suffolk Constabulary in relation to this incident and we are carrying out an assessment to determine what further action may be required from us.”
The intervention of IOPC was prompted by a suspicious failing by the police over a previous correspondence with Taiwo’s family on November 27, 2023, over a previous assault.
The police added, “On Monday 27th November 2023, Taiwo contacted Suffolk Police reporting an assault by Olubunni on her that day and a further assault from 15th August 2023. Olubunni was arrested on suspicion of both assaults at 10:23 am 27/11/2023. He was released from police custody at 6:20 pm on 27/11/2023 with police bail conditions.
The Police Bail conditions imposed were: Not to go to 239 Exning Road, Newmarket, CB9 0AY. Not to contact Taiwo Abodunde directly or indirectly except via a third party to arrange child contact.
“The incorrect address of 239 Exning Road, Newmarket on the bail condition should have in fact been recorded as 259 Exning Road, Newmarket. When Suffolk Police attended Taiwo’s address on Tuesday 28th November, this was for a pre-arranged meeting to gather evidence in relation to the assault allegations that were made against Olubunni Abodunde on 27th November which led to his arrest.
Because of these recent police contact with Taiwo, Suffolk Constabulary has made a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
“We will keep you updated on this process. We also want to make you aware we initially identified two scenes in relation to what happened but following our enquiries, we have removed one scene, but one remains in place. This continues to be a location where evidence is present.”
The late Taiwo was a native of Igogo Ekiti, while Olubunmi hailed from Ipoti Ekiti. They both met at Otun Ekiti in 2004 during a 7th Day Adventist Church social-religious camp for young people.
It was not love at first sight, but Taiwo would later agree to date and marry Bunmi following persistent pressure and persuasion from the husband.
The couple got married in 2016. However, the late Taiwo relocated to the UK in 2022 and secured a job there. She was later joined by her husband earlier this year.
The deceased’s brother, Alex Owoeye, mourned her passing in a Facebook post.
He wrote: “This is to officially announce the painful exit of my dear sister, Nurse Owoeye Taiwo Morenikeji, married to Abodunde David Olubunmi of Ipoti Ekiti. According to the Suffolk Police in the UK and the available documents and records sent to us via mail and direct conversations from the UK Police, after thoroughly conducted investigations, despite being caught in the act, he (the husband) was declared the sole murderer of his wife (my sister).”
Owoeye noted that the three children of the couple were currently being taken care of by the UK social services.
He also urged his family members to keep calm while assuring them that justice would be served in due course.
Another relative, Opeyemi Owoeye, also wrote on her Facebook page, “She was killed by her own very husband (Abodunde Bunmi David), no peace for the wicked. Justice for Owoeye Taiwo.”
Another Facebook user, Olabanji Fabiyi, described the death of Taiwo as heart-wrenching.
He wrote, “The recent tragic news of Taiwo Owoeye Abodunde murdered by her husband in Suffolk, United Kingdom, is profoundly heart-wrenching. Although myself and Taiwo were not that so close, her late dad and my late dad were childhood friends and her mum and mine are also good friends, all from Igogo Ekiti. Considering her upbringing, it seems improbable that any provocation from Taiwo warranted such a brutal act as strangulation. Also, the audio clip of what transpired between them prior to the untimely death is a pointer to the animalistic, barbaric and untrained husband she had.”
