Olubunmi Abodunde, a Nigerian man living in the United Kingdom, was reported to have used his son's skateboard to fatally beat his wife, Taiwo, to death.
The couple, who relocated from Nigeria to the UK in 2022, had a history of disputes related to suspected infidelity and disagreements over financial matters.
According to DailMail, Abodunde, aged 48, had been previously questioned by Suffolk Police regarding domestic abuse issues and was set to face a murder trial. However, he changed his plea to guilty after the jury was sworn in.
Despite bail conditions prohibiting him from entering the property due to a prior violent incident, Abodunde was found inside the house after officers heard disturbing noises. Upon entering, they discovered Taiwo, aged 41, with severe head injuries.
Judge Martyn Levett, presiding at Ipswich Crown Court, informed Abodunde that the likely sentence would be life imprisonment.
Following the tragic event, Suffolk Constabulary has initiated an internal investigation and referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct. Three officers are currently under scrutiny for potential misconduct.
Abodunde had a history of unfounded jealousy and had previously accused his wife of being unfaithful. Prior to the fatal incident, he had been involved in multiple police investigations regarding domestic violence allegations.
On April 27 of the previous year, he was apprehended when the police arrived at the residence of the couple in Newmarket, Suffolk, and discovered Mrs. Abodunde with a split lip.
Later that same day, he was released on police bail under the condition that he stayed away from their marital home and refrained from approaching his wife.
However, after completing a night shift at Tesco, he returned home shortly after 9 am, allegedly to retrieve his mobile phone.
At 9:20 am, two officers arrived to obtain a statement from Mrs. Abodunde regarding the incident from the previous night. They heard repeated banging noises coming from inside the house.
However, it wasn't until 9:55 am that they forcibly entered the premises with the approval of senior officers. They discovered Mrs. Abodunde near the front door, clearly deceased.
A subsequent post-mortem examination revealed that she had been strangled until she lost consciousness, then subjected to stomping that resulted in broken ribs, before her husband used a skateboard to deliver the final blow. The force of the blows was so severe that the skateboard sustained damage.
Prosecutor Simon Spence KC informed the court that the banging noises heard by the officers were likely the sounds of Abodunde continuing to assault his wife even after she had become unconscious or deceased.
While Mrs. Abodunde worked as a care home assistant in Cambridge, her husband, who had received training as a civil engineer, struggled to find employment in his field and instead took on shifts at Tesco and Wickes.
Following his arrest for the murder, Abodunde was taken to the hospital due to what appeared to be a mental episode.
In a subsequent police statement, he claimed to have acted in self-defense, stating, "My wife has subjected me to physical abuse for a number of years. On November 28, we got into an argument. She ran at me with a knife, I grabbed the knife and cut my hand. I was defending myself."
However, the court was informed that although he did have an injury to his hand, there was no knife found near his wife's body.
Nneka Akudolu KC, the defense attorney, argued that her client's violent behavior was completely out of character and may have been influenced by the medication he was taking. However, she clarified that there would be no medical evidence presented to support this claim.
Detective Inspector Dan Connick, from Suffolk Police, expressed his dismay after the hearing, stating, "This was a horrific attack that has had a lasting impact on the community and, most importantly, on the victim's family."
"We are relieved that Taiwo's family will not have to endure the pain of a trial. Our thoughts are with them and we hope that this outcome brings them some solace."
Taiwo Abodunde was employed at Cambridge Manor Care Home, a facility that offers dementia care and residential and respite care. A spokesperson for the home, which is owned by TLC Care, expressed their deep shock and sadness over Taiwo's tragic death. They emphasized that Taiwo was a beloved member of their community and will be greatly missed by both the staff and residents.
Abodunde has been remanded in custody and will face sentencing on May 9th.
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