The last may have not been heard about the popular Lagos auto dealer Ikechukwu Ogbonna, husband to late Abimbola Ogbonna detained in prison custody over complicity in the death of his wife in a fire inferno at their Lekki home in October, 2022.
The latest is that the family of the deceased wants the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, of the Ministry of Justice to resist any temptation to review the legal advice to prosecute the suspect in court for involuntary manslaughter.
This is as a protest letter by alledged mistress of the suspect, Blessing Okoro, alias BlessingCEO is seeking a review of the ‘facts’ on the claims that she was the couple’s therapist and adviser before the incident leading to her death.
The family through its lawyer, Mr. Odiana Eriata, Esq., in a petition to the DPP also watered down claims by BlessingCEO, that the deceased until her death, abused Ikechukwu Ogbonna for about 15 years.
Meanwhile, Mr. Eriata, the lawyer to the deceased’s family in a response to the petition, made available on Friday to CASEFILE, wants the DPP to charge the said adviser as an accomplice.
According to the reply, titled:RE: Application To Review The DPP’S Report In The Case C.O.P VS. Ikechukwu Ogbonna Sent To DPP By MS. Blessing Okoro (a.k.a. BlessingCEO) Is An Attempt To Subvert Justice,
Mr. Eriata urged the government to investigate and charge Blessing Okoro (a.k.a. BlessingCEO) as an accomplice to the death of late Mrs. Abimbola Ogbonna.
Adding that the DPP or the court has powers to invite any person to give evidence in any matter before the court if necessary but the DPP’s legal advice which is done on behalf of the Lagos State Government, Ministry of Justice, Lagos State and the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Lagos State is final in the circumstance.
Read details below
17th February, 2023
The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP)
State Secretariat Alausa, Ikeja
Dear Sir,
RE: APPLICATION TO REVIEW THE DPP’S REPORT IN THE CASE C.O.P VS. IKECHUKWU OGBONNA SENT TO DPP BY MS. BLESSING OKORO (a.k.a. BlessingCEO) IS AN ATTEMPT TO SUBVERT JUSTICE
We are Solicitors to the family of late Mrs. Abimbola Ogbonna who allegedly set herself ablaze under the watchful eye of the husband Mr. Ikechukwu Ogbonna on the 12th day of October, 2022.
We are aware of the DPP’s report (Legal Advice) of 28th December, 2022 and the revocation of the bail earlier granted by Her Honour Mrs. Adebayo Kafayat Tella of the Yaba Magisterial District (Court 7) Ebute-Metta which directed that the Defendant be remanded in prisons pending the filing of the charge before the Lagos State High Court.
We are also aware of the Application for bail pending arraignment filed by the Defendant’s counsel Mr. Victor Ogude SAN on the 2nd day of February, 2023 and argued on the 9th February, 2023 before Hon. Justice Nicole-Clay of the Lagos State High Court which is now adjourned for ruling on the 23rd day of February, 2023.
We are also aware of the protest letter written by Ms. Blessing Okoro a.k.a BlessingCEO which urged your good offices to review the legal advice based on what she called “new facts” or “statement of the maid (house girl)” that was omitted from the file.
The recent development in this case amazed the deceased family because; (1) Blessing Okoro is not the investigating police officer and not from the SCID Panti, Yaba how did she become aware that material evidence was omitted and now in her possession?
i. That they want justice in this case and would resist any manipulation of the prosecutional process by Blessing Okoro or any of the Defendant’s godfather.
ii. That the DPP’s legal advice (report) is final and cannot be changed or reviewed at this stage except there is a cogent, direct and compelling evidence to warrant otherwise.
iii. That the DPP should ensure the charge is given permanent charge number and assigned to a trial judge without further delay.
iv. That the charge of involuntary manslaughter is a felony with life imprisonment if the Defendant is found guilty and the evidence before the court and the role played by the Defendant is enough material evidence for the court’s evaluation and final decision whereas the cooked-up new facts or evidence by Blessing Okoro (IVD’s boo) cannot change the report and should not be allowed for any reason.
(8) That the DPP’s powers cannot be hijacked by any person or authority or manipulated whatsoever and his legal advice is final because the maid’s evidence which the police recorded through phone was part of the evidence or materials considered by the DPP before the report was made.
(9) That Blessing Okoro and her crew should forward all their new facts or evidence for the defence of Ikechukwu Ogbonna in court and not through the back door.
(10) That the date of the incident should be confirmed and corrected in the processes before the court and the legal advice forthwith.
We have confidence in the Lagos State prosecutorial process and we urge you to resist any temptation to review the legal advice based on the protest letter from the desperate Blessing Okoro (a.k.a. BlessingCEO) or any of their agents.
We also urge you to use your good office to investigate and charge Blessing Okoro (a.k.a. BlessingCEO) as an accomplice to the death of late Mrs. Abimbola Ogbonna.
Finally, the DPP or the court has powers to invite any person to give evidence in any matter before the court if necessary but the DPP’s legal advice which is done on behalf of the Lagos State Government, Ministry of Justice, Lagos State and the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Lagos State is final in the circumstance.
Yours faithfully,
ODIANA ERIATA ESQ.
