Nigerian woman blinded in one eye by violent fiancé criticises CPS for initially dropping case

A Nigerian woman based in the UK was left permanently blind in one eye by her violent fiancé. She has now criticised the Crown Prosecution Service after her case was initially dropped despite “overwhelming evidence” of the cause of her injuries.

Akorede Odutayo sustained life-changing injuries after being punched repeatedly in the face by her partner when she got icing on his clothes after presenting him with a birthday cake.

She spent three days in hospital but surgeons were unable to save her left eye. She now has to use a glass replacement.

The mother-of-one, who had suffered years of domestic violence at the hands of her partner Ibrahim Akanbi, agreed to press charges against the father of her child.

But he was granted and initially the CPS decided to take no further action after Akanbi claimed he had acted in self defence. Akorede says she cried when she was told about the decision.

After the police intervened, the CPS eventually reviewed their decision and charged Akanbi.
Ibrahim Akanbi was found guilty of grievous bodily harm last month at Woolwich crown court in London and was sentenced to three years in prison.

He would have escaped a conviction had police not appealed against a decision by the CPS last March to take no further action in the case.