Taiwo Abodunde was killed by her husband in November 2023 at her Newmarket home
Two police officers will face gross incompetence meetings after a woman was murdered by her husband in 2023. Taiwo Abodunde, 41, was found at her home in Exning Road, Newmarket on the morning of November 28, 2023.
Taiwo suffered catastrophic injuries after her husband Olubunmi Abodunde attacked her and killed her. Olubunmi was found guilty of murder in May 2024, and handed a life sentence.
After Olubunmi was arrested on November 28, Suffolk Police referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct as there was previous police contact at the address. The IOPC launched an investigation to look at the previous police contact.
In February 2025, the IOPC concluded its investigation and found that two Suffolk Police officers should face a gross incompetence meeting. The date for these meetings have been set for February 23 to February 27.
In its investigation, the IOPC looked at the actions and decision making of the officers who came into contact with the wife and husband. The IOPC established that two police constables, including one probationer, responded to a report of a domestic incident at the address on November 27.
Olubunmi was arrested for common assault and assault causing actual bodily harm and taken into custody and released on bail later that evening. The two officers returned to the address the next day for a pre-arranged meeting with Mrs Abodunde, but they couldn’t make contact with her.
While outside her home they heard a disturbance within the address and discussed with their supervisor – an acting police sergeant – whether they had grounds to enter the premises. After 35 minutes, the officers entered the property, but they discovered Mrs Abodunde dead at the scene.
A PC faces allegations that their actions may have amounted to gross incompetence in relation to the handling of the domestic incident on November 27. It also relates to delayed entry into the home on November 28.
The officer’s supervisor – an acting sergeant – also faces allegations that their actions may have amounted to gross incompetence for advising the officers not to enter the property, despite being made aware of the officers’ concerns for Mrs Abodunde.
It’s also alleged he failed to be diligent in his duties and responsibilities as an acting sergeant regarding his supervision of the case after Mr Abodunde was taken into custody on November 27.
In February, IOPC director Emily Barry said: “Our deepest sympathies remain with the family and friends of Taiwo Abodunde and anyone affected by her tragic and senseless murder. As a result of our investigation into the police contact prior to her death, we have decided that two Suffolk officers should face a gross incompetence meeting in relation to their actions between November 27 to 28.
“Gross incompetence meetings occur when the evidence indicates that the officer’s failure or inability to perform their duties to the required standard may potentially be so serious that it would justify dismissal. It is not our role to decide if the officers’ actions amount to gross incompetence. That will be for a police performance panel to determine after considering all of the evidence.”
