Auto dealer Ikechukwu Ogbonna, popularly known as IVD, has made fresh claims about his late wife, Bimbo Martins, during a revealing appearance on The Honest Bunch podcast, alongside his fiancée, Blessing Okoro, also known as Blessing CEO.
Speaking with the show’s hosts, including media personality Daddy Freeze, IVD alleged that Bimbo was emotionally and physically abusive during their marriage, and accused her family of spreading damaging narratives about him following her tragic death in October 2022.
“Whenever my late wife started her drama, I used to leave the house, but my daughter would send me a voice note to come back and I would,” he claimed.
“She was very dramatic. She was fighting me everywhere. Everyone knows. She would come to my office and slap me for doing nothing.”
The businessman further alleged that his in-laws paid blogs to tarnish his reputation, accusing him of domestic violence and even claiming he was HIV-positive.
“They said I was violent and had HIV. I did my HIV test at Evercare and it was negative,” IVD said, adding that following Bimbo’s death, “they took all my property, her property, and my five kids. Till now, I have not seen my children.”
IVD became emotional while discussing his current relationship with Blessing CEO, who publicly defended him amid the backlash and criminal investigation.
“Blessing was there for me when I was down and wanted to commit suicide,” he said tearfully. “I used to be an ashawo boy, but now I’m fully committed to her. I have never and will never cheat on her.”
In a striking moment, he revealed that he cried multiple times as he watched Blessing try on wedding dresses.
“She wore 36 wedding gowns and I cried 36 times. My late wife and I only did traditional. Blessing is the first I’ve experienced this with.”
Bimbo Martins died in a fire incident at their Lekki home, sparking widespread outrage and allegations of domestic abuse. In early 2023, IVD was charged with involuntary manslaughter by the Lagos State Government.
His current fiancée, Blessing CEO, rose to public attention for her vocal support of IVD during the controversy. Her stance led to her arrest in March 2023 on charges of cyberbullying and defamation, particularly targeted at Bimbo’s family. She was later released on bail.
Despite the ongoing legal battles and unresolved family tensions, the couple appears to be moving forward, with wedding plans underway.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Bimbo’s sister Folashade paid tribute to the late mother-of-five on what would have been her 36th birthday, sharing an old video of Bimbo dancing and writing: “My guardian angel.”
