Lagos State government, yesterday, arraigned 37-year-old auto dealer, Ikechukwu Ogbonna, before a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, for involuntary manslaughter.
     
Ogbonna is the husband to the late 35-year-old Abimbola  Ogbonna, who died in a fire at Lekki.
   
He was arraigned before Justice Modupe Nicole-Clay on one-count charge of involuntary manslaughter.
   
The state government said his offence was contrary to Section 229 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.
   
However, the popular auto dealer pleaded not guilty to the charge.
 
His late wife reportedly died as a result of the fire incident, which occurred in the couple’s home on October 12, 2022, allegedly caused by Ogbonna.
   
After the arraignment, the prosecution counsel, Adeshola Bello, clarified a mix up in the date the alleged offence was committed, stressing that what they had on record was October 10, but the date was October 12, 2022.
 
She prayed the court to allow the amendment, which was granted by the court.
 
However, the defendant’s counsel, Mr. Victor Ogunde (SAN) asked for bail for his client. 
 
Responding, Justice Nicole-Clay asked the counsel why he was bringing a bail application despite the fact that the defendant was on bail since March 1.
 
Ogunde explained that the suit against his client has a different number.
 
The judge subsequently adjourned to March 30, May 24 and 25, 2023, for trial.