A Lagos man, Gbenga Odunaya, has been remanded in custody for allegedly assaulting his estranged wife, Muibat Laminat, during a bitter dispute over property documents.
The altercation reportedly stemmed from a disagreement over a house the couple built together while still married.
Odunaya, 55, is accused of attacking Laminat after she requested the title documents for the property, which she claims was primarily financed with money from her late father’s inheritance.
Police said Laminat had sold her father’s property for ₦11 million and deposited the proceeds into her husband’s account.
Part of the money was used to construct the house, while the rest was reportedly spent by Odunaya on vehicles.
The trouble began after the couple separated, with Laminat seeking ownership of the house she had largely funded.
According to the victim, her request for the house documents was met with physical aggression from Odunaya.
She claimed he not only refused to comply but also inflicted injuries on her during the confrontation.
Unable to resolve the matter, Laminat sought intervention from the police.
Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Adegoke Fayoade, in charge of Zone 2 Command, ordered Odunaya’s arrest following the report.
On December 7, 2024, Odunaya appeared before the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court sitting at Tinubu, Lagos Island, to face charges of assault and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.
The charges, read by Police Prosecutor ASP Jimoh Joseph, stated: “That you, Gbenga Odunaya, in 2020 at Noforija, Epe, Lagos, did assault Muibat Laminat, inflicting injuries on her.”
Prosecutors said the offences violated Sections 173 and 168(4) of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015, which address assault occasioning bodily harm and public disturbances.
Odunaya, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Magistrate Adetunji granted Odunaya bail in the sum of ₦500,000.
The court further required that he provide two sureties of the same amount to secure his release.
Until the bail conditions are met, Odunaya will remain at the Ikoyi Correctional Facility.
The case has been adjourned to January 15, 2025, for mention.
Speaking with journalists outside the courtroom, Laminat described her ordeal as a betrayal of trust.
“I trusted him with everything,” she said. “This house was supposed to be my future security, but he turned around and attacked me for asking for what’s mine.”
She expressed hope that justice would be served, urging the court to ensure she regains ownership of the property.
The case has sparked conversations about domestic violence and women’s rights in Nigeria.
Advocates are calling for stricter measures to protect women from abuse, especially in cases involving financial disputes within marriages.
A women’s rights activist, Tola Ogundele, condemned the incident, saying: “This is not just a legal issue; it’s a societal problem. Women should not have to face violence for asserting their rights.”
The relationship between Odunaya and Laminat appears to have been fraught with financial disagreements and mistrust.
Sources close to the couple revealed that the property dispute was the breaking point in an already strained marriage.
“She brought the money, and they both agreed to build the house,” said a family friend who wished to remain anonymous. “But after the separation, things got ugly.”
The incident also sheds light on the pace of justice delivery in Nigeria, as the assault allegedly occurred in 2020.
