IN a chilling case that has shaken the East England county of Suffolk, a Nigerian man, Olubunmi Abodunde, 48, has pleaded guilty to the murder of his wife, Taiwo Abodunde, 41, using their son’s skateboard as a weapon. The tragic incident has raised questions about police response and bail conditions, leading Suffolk Constabulary (police force) to refer itself to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) – the official police watchdog.
The events unfolded on April 27 last year when officers responded to a call at the couple’s home in Newmarket, Suffolk. Despite bail conditions imposed just a day earlier, which prohibited Abodunde from entering the property following a violent episode, he returned home. Officers arriving on the scene heard disturbing noises from inside the house but were delayed in entering for nearly 25 minutes due to the need for senior officer approval. The tragedy could have been averted had the officers used their initiative.
Upon entering, they discovered Taiwo Abodunde with her ‘skull smashed in,’ a horrifying result of the fatal attack. Prosecutor Simon Spence KC revealed that Abodunde had throttled his wife until she lost consciousness, then proceeded to stomp on her ribs before ultimately using the skateboard to deliver fatal blows.
Suffolk Police’s delayed response has come under intense scrutiny, with the force voluntarily referring the case to the IOPC. A spokesperson from the IOPC confirmed that three officers are under investigation for potential breaches of professional conduct.
Detective Inspector Dan Connick of Suffolk Police expressed deep sympathy, acknowledging the profound impact of the incident on the victim’s family and community. ‘This was an awful attack on a woman that has had a lasting impact,’ he stated, emphasising that the guilty plea brings some closure to the family.
The court proceedings revealed a troubled history within the Abodunde marriage. The couple, who immigrated to the UK from Nigeria in 2022, faced frequent clashes over jealousy, alleged affairs, and financial issues. While Taiwo held a job as a care home assistant, her husband struggled to secure work in his field as a civil engineer and took night shifts at Tesco supermarket and hardware store, Wickes.
Abodunde’s defence attempted to portray the attack as out of character, suggesting potential mental health issues or medication effects. However, these claims were not substantiated with medical evidence during the trial.
In a poignant tribute, Taiwo Abodunde’s employer, Cambridge Manor care home, described her as a compassionate and beloved member of their community. ‘Taiwo always cared for those we support with compassion and kindness,’ a spokesperson expressed, highlighting the profound loss felt by colleagues and residents.
The tragic circumstances have also sparked reflections on the challenges faced by immigrant families. A friend of the couple, choosing to remain anonymous, commented on the cultural adjustments and pressures experienced by Africans migrating to Europe. The drastic shift in roles and circumstances may have contributed to Abodunde’s mental strain, the friend speculated.
‘The cultural challenges when Africans of today migrate to Europe. I’m sure it was the lady who got the visa to come to the UK, and when they got here, things changed, and the husband couldn’t handle it. From being a civil engineer in Nigeria, he was stacking shelves in a supermarket at night. I think he lost it mentally,’ he told Africa Briefing.
As Olubunmi Abodunde awaits sentencing on May 9, Suffolk Police continues to grapple with the implications of their response and the broader issue of domestic violence. The case serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for robust interventions to protect victims of domestic abuse and prevent such devastating outcomes in the future.