For those who knew the late Bimbo and her husband Ikechukwu Ogbonna, aka IVD, their years of marriage which produced five children has been a twisted journey laced with domestic violence.
The lovebirds got married when she was 18 years old, shortly after Ikechukwu impregnated her. Their domestic violence-filled marriage was common knowledge to their family, friends, colleagues and neighbours in the Ikota area of Lagos.
It was gathered that on Wednesday night, Bimbo had confronted Ikechukwu over some issues, which later degenerated into a scuffle, during which their apartment was set ablaze, burning Bimbo in the process, while Ikechukwu escaped with minor burns.
Unfortunately, Bimbo died on Saturday, October 15, 2022, after battling for life at the Intensive Care Unit for over 48 hours.
According to doctors, she didn’t survive the latest incident as the burn she sustained from the inferno was severe.”
A family member who spoke on the condition of anonymity to VANGUARD newspaper said Bimbo had on so many occasions left her marriage but always returned as they found ways to resolve their issues.
Recounting some of the issues between the couple, the family member said, “in 2020, Bimbo had slit her wrist and threatened to take her life because of the domestic violence she suffered, however after so much back and forth and mediation from some friends and celebrities that got involved she still went back.”
A neighbour who identified herself simply as Bukola explained, “on Wednesday night, we heard a loud shout coming from their house. I heard she poured petrol on herself and lit the match. But I don’t know if that is true because I wasn’t there.”
“She was rushed to different hospitals that rejected her when she was rescued, but one finally took her in.
“Since I moved to this neighbourhood, I noticed their marriage is too toxic. They both have problems; they have equal blame in the domestic violence as they are both constantly abusing each other”, Bukola added.
Recounting her experience with the couple, legal practitioner Awele Chukwuma said Ikechukwu and Bimbo Ogbonna were among my first domestic violence clients. There was nothing I didn’t say to both of them to end the mad union they called a “marriage”.
“In 2019, I travelled to Lagos to physically see them. Unfortunately, Ikechukwu wasn’t home, but I met Bimbo and her lovely kids, and they gave me a very warm reception. Their house is fine and beautiful in a rich estate. There was nothing I didn’t say to Bimbo and Ikechukwu to ensure they have a peaceful separation but they refused so I decided to leave them and watch from afar.”
“I was always happy whenever I saw videos of Bimbo and the children dancing on Instagram and even when I want to believe that all is now well with them at home as they no longer wake me up with midnight calls to report a fight, I somehow still believed a day like this will come where either of them will die and the other in jail.”
“This is one stupid domestic violence case I ever witnessed because everyone, including the couple involved, knew it would end this way. Bimbo and Ikechukwu are the most selfish parents I know because if they are not selfish, they would have thought about their kids and ended their madness a long time ago through Judicial separation or Divorce.”
Reacting to the news of his wife’s death, Lagos Auto Dealer, Ikechukwu Ogbonna aka IVD, released several videos showing supposed evidence of the destruction of his home by Bimbo on his Instagram page.
Popular Lagos car dealer, Ikechukwu Ogbonna (IVD Autos) breaks his silence
In the series of posts he shared Bimbo’s voice can be heard in the background hurling insults at him, while in other videos, he shows the injury on his head allegedly caused by Bimbo.
In another video he shared, he could be heard saying, “all this will end today.” He also threatened to beat his mother-in-law.
However, the late Bimbo’s brother Oyindamola Martins has made some shocking allegations.
In a series of Instagram posts, Oyindamola revealed it all started when an 18-year-old Bimbo met Ikechukwu.
He said she had given Ikechukwu all her school fees and eventually dropped out. He further stated that after several failed warnings for them to stop seeing each other, Bimbo’s family took her to Abuja to live. However, IK contacted her and told her that he would kill himself if she did not return.
He said Bimbo ran down to Lagos to be with him. Oyindamola added that their family even offered to pay IVD money to stay away from young Bimbo at the time, but they continued their relationship.
Bimbo’s sister weep over her sisters death, alleging IVD, pushed her sister into the fire.
He said he believes Bimbo and IVD had a blood covenant because she kept going back to him even with all that was going on.”
He also shared a video of IVD where he alluded to someone being shot, a statement Oyindamola said was about an incident involving Burna boy where a man had been shot because the musician “wanted” his wife.
Oyindamola further revealed that IVD threatened his life over the revelation on his page. This development came hours after Ikechukwu took to his Instagram page to publish videos to exonerate himself from domestic violence allegations and reports of killing his wife who died on Saturday, October 15, 2022.
Update: Brother to late Bimbo speaks on why his sister put fire to her home, which led to her death.
But Ikechukwu is said to have absconded since the incident happened. Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the investigation into the incident had commenced.
