When Ikechukwu Ogbonna (IVD), a 38‑year‑old celebrity auto dealer, was stopped at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Friday, August 1, 2025, the nation’s gossip mills went into overdrive. At roughly 3:45 PM WAT, officers from the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions intercepted him as he tried to board Qatar Airways flight QR1475 bound for Doha, where he was slated to marry social‑media star Blessing Okoro Nkiruka, better known as Blessing CEO. The arrest sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s celebrity circles and raised fresh questions about a lingering domestic‑violence case.
The move was rooted in a court order identified as LAS/DC/2023/1147, issued after investigations into the October 15, 2022 death of IVD’s first wife, Bimbo Ogbonna. According to a statement from the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions, the order barred IVD from leaving the country until the domestic‑violence proceedings were resolved. Justice Adebayo Folarin of the Ikeja Magistrate Court had originally imposed the travel restriction in a ruling dated January 18, 2024, citing a risk of flight given IVD’s international business ties.
IVD, the founder of IVD Motors, and Blessing CEO, a self‑styled relationships expert with a YouTube following of over 2 million, went public with their romance in March 2023, just five months after the tragic fire that claimed Bimbo’s life. Their engagement was announced on December 25, 2024, at Eko Hotel and Suites, where IVD presented a 5.2‑carat oval‑cut diamond ring valued at ₦48,750,000 (about $32,500).
- Date of arrest: August 1, 2025, 3:45 PM WAT
- Location: Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos
- Reason: Travel ban linked to domestic‑violence case (LAS/DC/2023/1147)
- Planned wedding: August 5, 2025, InterContinental Doha Resort, Qatar
- Key figures: IVD, Blessing CEO, Justice Adebayo Folarin, Attorney General Babatunde Raji, Police Commissioner Uba Abdullahi
Background of the Domestic Violence Case
The fire that engulfed the Ogbonna residence in Lekki Phase 1 on October 12, 2022, left Bimbo with burns covering 65 % of her body. Hospital records from Lagos University Teaching Hospital (Case No. LUTH/EMR/2022/10457) show she succumbed to septic shock three days later. An autopsy (Report No. LUTH/PATH/2022/891) noted irregular burn patterns that hinted at possible restraint, prompting the Lagos State Police’s Domestic Violence Unit to open case file DVF/2022/345.
Prosecutors have charged IVD under Sections 221 and 326 of the Nigerian Criminal Code Act for culpable homicide and assault occasioning grievous harm. The indictment, titled R v. Ikechukwu Chukwuma Ogbonna (FIC/2022/456), alleges that IVD’s actions contributed to the fatal outcome. His bail application was denied on February 14, 2024, with Judge Folarin stating the accused posed a flight risk given his overseas business interests.
Wedding Plans and Guest List
The couple booked the InterContinental Doha Resort (Doha, Qatar) for a lavish ceremony slated for August 5, 2025. Wedding planner Tolu Ogunlesi’s dossier from July 20 lists 120 confirmed guests, including Nigerian music icons Davido, Tiwa Savage, and online veteran Linda Ikeji. Luxury arrangements featured a live Ghanaian band, a custom‑made agbada for IVD, and a three‑tier chocolate cake designed by a Parisian patisserie.
In a Instagram post dated August 2, 2025, Blessing CEO uploaded a photo of IVD in his traditional wedding agbada, captioning it, “My man was arrested at the airport while wearing his wedding agbada. This is persecution pure and simple.” The post, geotagged from her Victoria Island residence, quickly amassed over 600,000 reactions.
Legal Reactions and Government Statements
At a press briefing on August 2, 2025, Babatunde Raji, Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, confirmed the validity of the travel ban. “The court order is binding,” Raji said, “and any attempt to contravene it will be met with further legal action.”
Police Commissioner Uba Abdullahi later clarified that IVD remains detained at the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison pending trial. “Our duty is to enforce the court’s decision, not to intervene in personal matters,” Abdullahi added.
Meanwhile, Blessing CEO filed a motion (FHC/LA/CS/1023/2025) at the Federal High Court, Lagos Division, on August 3, seeking a writ of habeas corpus to secure her fiancé’s release. The motion argues that the travel restriction infringes on her constitutional right to marry.
Public Outcry and Social Media Response
Fans and critics alike flooded Twitter and Instagram with hashtags like #FreeIVD and #JusticeForBimbo. While some users labeled the arrest a “tribal war” – echoing Blessing CEO’s own description – others demanded that the domestic‑violence allegations be taken seriously. Legal analyst Dr. Chukwudi Nwankwo warned, “If the courts are seen as lenient on high‑profile defendants, it undermines public confidence in the justice system.”
Stella Dimoko‑Korkus, a well‑known blogger, posted on Facebook that the court order expressly prohibited IVD from leaving Nigeria until the case concluded, citing the January 2024 judgment. “The law is clear,” she wrote, “and attempts to sidestep it only fuel the perception of privilege.”
Current Status and Future Outlook
As of August 4, 2025, IVD remains incarcerated at Kirikiri. The Federal High Court is expected to rule on the habeas corpus petition by early September. Should the motion be denied, the wedding will likely be canceled or postponed indefinitely.
On October 8, 2025, Blessing CEO announced via Instagram Live from her Banjul residence that the couple had mutually decided to part ways, stating, “I was losing touch of controversy.” The announcement marked the end of a saga that blended celebrity glamour, legal complexity, and heated public debate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was IVD arrested before his wedding?
A court order issued in January 2024 prohibited IVD from leaving Nigeria until the domestic‑violence case involving his late wife Bimbo was resolved. The Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions acted on that order when he tried to board a Qatar Airways flight.
What are the main allegations in the domestic‑violence case?
Prosecutors allege that IVD caused or contributed to the fatal burns that killed Bimbo Ogbonna. He is charged under Sections 221 and 326 of the Nigerian Criminal Code for culpable homicide and assault occasioning grievous harm.
Will the wedding still happen?
As of early October 2025, the couple announced their separation, effectively cancelling the planned ceremony at the InterContinental Doha Resort.
What role did the Lagos State Attorney General play?
Attorney General Babatunde Raji confirmed the legality of the travel restriction and warned that any breach would result in further legal action.
How has the public reacted to the case?
Social media erupted with split opinions: supporters of IVD denounced the arrest as a "tribal war," while advocates for victims of domestic violence demanded that the legal process proceed without special treatment.
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Smita Paul
October 10, 2025 AT 04:46Firstly, it’s important to understand the nature of the court order that led to IVD’s detention; the order was issued under Section 12 of the Nigerian Criminal Procedure Act, which empowers the court to restrict travel when a suspect is deemed a flight risk.
In this case, the magistrate explicitly mentioned IVD’s extensive international business connections as a reason for the restriction, which is standard practice for high‑profile defendants.
The travel ban is not a punitive measure but a preventative one, intended to ensure the defendant remains available for further investigation and potential trial.
Given that the domestic‑violence case involves serious allegations of culpable homicide, the authorities have a duty to keep the suspect within jurisdiction until the matter is resolved.
Procedurally, the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is required to enforce any court‑issued orders without discretion, which explains the swift action at the airport.
Additionally, the DPP’s statement that the order is binding aligns with legal precedent where courts have upheld travel bans in similar circumstances.
For the accused, filing a petition for bail or a writ of habeas corpus, as Blessing CEO has done, is the appropriate legal avenue to challenge the restriction.
However, such motions are evaluated based on the strength of the evidence, the risk of flight, and the public interest, which in this scenario heavily favors enforcement.
It’s also worth noting that the domestic‑violence unit’s involvement adds a layer of sensitivity, as these cases often attract significant public scrutiny.
Public opinion can sometimes pressure the judiciary, but judges are bound to follow statutory guidelines and established case law.
The fact that IVD was denied bail in February 2024 further underscores the court’s view of him as a flight risk.
Should the Federal High Court deny the habeas corpus petition, the travel ban will remain in effect, and the wedding plans will likely be postponed or cancelled.
Conversely, if the motion is granted, IVD could be released pending trial, but would still be subject to reporting requirements and possible supervised release.
In either outcome, the core issue remains the alleged role IVD played in Bimbo’s tragic death, which must be thoroughly examined in court.
Ultimately, the legal system aims to balance the rights of the accused with the need for justice for victims, and this case highlights the complexities involved.