AUTOPSY OUTCOME: Babafemi Ojudu, Kemi Ashefon, Wale Adedayo, Others Speak On Alleged Wife Killer, Lekan Shonde’s Fate

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The Lagos State Police, penultimate Friday arraigned  Lekan Shonde, the dockworker who allegedly killed his wife during a scuffle at their Egbeda residence in Lagos three weeks ago to court. The suspect, we learnt was expected to be arraigned before the Ebute-Metta  Magistrate’s Court. This was just as family of late Ronke has begun plans to bury her. Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni confirmed that the command had concluded its investigation and would charge the suspect to court today. He was, however, silent on the charges against him. Lekan was alleged to have killed his wife, Ronke. He had alleged that Ronke was sleeping with the manager of the printing company where she worked. One day, Ronke came home and, according to Lekan, she didn’t know he was at home when she was calling her supposed boyfriend on phone and saying she enjoyed the sex they had last night. Argument started. But the lady was later found dead. Lekan denied hitting her. Now, the autopsy is out and the results said that there was no sign that Ronke was beaten to death, that she died of seizure. Despite this, the police said that Lekan will face murder charge.

Meanwhile, there was also an indication that the family was not ready to prosecute Lekan. We learnt that they have resolved to leave everything to God. We spoke to some Nigerians on the issue, particularly on Lekan’s fate, given the outcome of the autopsy test. The Editor, FOLORUNSHO HAMSAT, here presents the people’s views.
 

Senator Babafemi Ojudu;

I won’t be able to do this. Lekan is on trial and commenting now is not appropriate.

 

Yinka Davies, singer

We know this man oh my Lord! There’s nothing to say except, may The Lord vindicate him and may The Lord have mercy on his wife (soul).

 

Olu Adegoke, student, King’s College, London

The police concluded yesterday that the man would be charged for murder.

They must have their reasons for doing so. If the police have decided to arraign the husband, they must have some findings linking him to it.

 

Wale Adedayo, public relations consultant

He should be tried for murder or manslaughter depending on how the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution interpreted the autopsy.

 

Kemi Ashefon, journalist, relationship expert

Lekan has already been charged with murder. I believe the cause of death of Ronke Shonde still has to do with the way Lekan, her spouse dealt with her. Seizure, according to experts could be as a result of when something hits the head. What if he had hit her head while they were quarrelling and she fell down on a hard surface? Even if he didn’t beat her, why didn’t he check on her as he left home on Friday morning while she laid on the floor? His jealousy took over! The case is now in court and I hope justice prevails. Sad that the lady had to die this way.

 

Halim Muhammed, media consultant

Lekan has a bad case based on the autopsy report. Coupled with the fact that he behaved in a suspicious manner by running away for some days when he was informed about the death of the wife, before giving himself up to the police, makes the case bad for him. What lawyers call circumstance evidence may be against him. He allegedly claims the wife was cheating on him so jealousy can’t be ruled out. Above all, in law adultery is no crime. Lekan should get good lawyers to help him have his day in court. This incident should be an eye opener to men who turn their partners into punching bags on the mere suspicion or even confirmed adultery .The moment there’s distrust in a relationship the best option is for the man to kick out the woman or kick out himself from matrimonial home if he has the means. Being physical could land man in trouble like Lekan. That’s my take on it.

 

MC Icewater Aruocha, comedian

It’s quite a pity that safe for media houses like yours and other credible ones, others who thrived on selling the dummy that the Lekan guy killed the wife will not end up giving this new development the publicity it deserves, as the guy has been exonerated on aspect of this even though the reason behind him running away and locking the kids behind isn’t cleared yet because the same guy said he wasn’t with his late wife’s phone number but was later recovered from him. So we are having so many distortions to this same story and I pray the Nig Police will not let us down in unraveling the mystery behind this murder/death saga.

 

Ademola Adegbamigbe, journalist

We should be scientific with this issue. If her death was caused by seizure, then we should not rush to judge the man. However, experts concerned should establish what triggered the seizure: a violent blow to the head or elsewhere? The corpse needs more examination to ascertain manhandling.

 

Cynthia Okobi, cleric

I believe the issues are both legal and moral. If there is no direct connection between the death and the beating, legally it appears that he’s entitled to be freed of all charges, inclusive of the lesser charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm since the object of the violence is dead. However, this leaves us with a moral burden. Should the beating go unpunished simply because it wasn’t the immediate cause of death? I don’t think so.. And so I believe that the concept of remote cause of death be explored. If the beating was not a direct or immediate cause of death, was it a remote cause? If it was, then he should be tried for manslaughter. That’s where the legal and moral burdens arising from the whole episode will be met!..but beyond the public perception of Lekan there is a more fundamental issue of the increase of domestic violence to such ferocity that it leads to spousal death..it suggests a lot of frustration within marriages and calls for a re- assessment of marriage , and values within marriage. My brother, why do people stay gravely embittered in marriage, when they can leave?

 

 

Yemi Oluwadare, NDLEA

Pray for Lekan. His fate is in God’s hand.