A Nigerian man, identified as Olubunmi Abodunde, stands accused in a UK court of killing his wife, just months after their relocation from Nigeria to the UK.
The grim incident occurred in 2023 when Abodunde fatally assaulted his wife, Taiwo Abodunde, 41, leaving their three children without a mother.
The UK court recently heard chilling accounts of the incident. Police officers reported hearing repeated sounds of violence emanating from the house as Olubunmi Abodunde savagely attacked his wife.
Despite the disturbing noises, they hesitated to intervene because they were waiting for permission from a higher authority to break into the house.
By the time they gained access 25 minutes later, they found Taiwo Abodunde obviously dead with her skull brutally fractured.
On April 25, 2024, just as his trial for murder was about to commence, Olubunmi Abodunde, 48, abruptly changed his plea to “guilty,” with a possible sentence of life imprisonment.
Three Suffolk police officers are also being investigated for the way they handled the situation. They are under investigation for possible breaches of professional conduct, with two officers facing allegations of gross misconduct.
Before the tragic events unfolded, Olubunmi Abodunde’s jealousy and suspicion had strained his relationship with his wife, leading to accusations of infidelity. He had a record of being investigated by the police for domestic violence incidents.
The series of unfortunate events began on April 27, 2023, when police found Mrs. Abodunde with a split lip at their Newmarket home. Olubunmi Abodunde was arrested and released on bail later that day, with strict instructions to stay away from his wife.
Despite these directives, he returned home the following morning, leading to the tragic incident. Police arrived the house around 9.20am to question Mrs. Abodunde about the abuse episode but unfortunately found her dead.
A subsequent post-mortem examination revealed that she had been strangled until she fell unconscious, then he stamped on her until her ribs were broken. He, then, used their son’s skateboard to inflict further harm and finish her off. The blows were so violent that it destroyed the skateboard.
In court, Abodunde attempted to claim self-defense, alleging previous abuse from his wife. However, his account lacked substantiating evidence, and the severity of the attack suggested otherwise.
Following his arrest, Abodunde was hospitalized due to a purported mental episode. His defense lawyer cited medication as a potential influence on his behavior, though no medical evidence supported this claim.
It was gathered that the couple had immigrated to the UK from Nigeria in 2022. While Taiwo Abodunde worked as a care home assistant, her husband, a civil engineer, struggled to find a job in his field and resorted to taking shifts at Tesco and Wickes.
Speaking after the court hearing, Detective Inspector Dan Connick said,
“This was an awful attack on a woman that has had a lasting impact on the community and, most importantly, on the victim’s family.
“We are pleased that Taiwo’s family will no longer have to go through the pain of a trial.
“Our thoughts remain with Taiwo’s family and friends and hope this result will bring some small comfort to them.”
Before her demise, Taiwo Abodunde worked for Cambridge Manor Care Home, which provides dementia, residential and respite care.
A spokesman for the facility, which is owned by TLC Care, said:
“We are all deeply shaken and upset by the tragic death of Taiwo, who was a much-loved member of our home community.
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with her family. Taiwo always cared for those we support with compassion and kindness, and she will be greatly missed by all of us and our residents.”
Aboodunde was remanded in jail and will be sentenced on May 9.