A shocking case of domestic violence has left many Nigerians in disbelief as a 56-year-old lawyer, Barrister Temi Odu, was reportedly strangled to death by her husband, Christopher Odu, in a tragic incident that occurred on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.

The heartbreaking story surfaced online after Instagram user and activist @Toniabruisebutnotbroken shared multiple posts detailing the events leading up to Barrister Odu’s untimely death. According to her account, the murder took place in the presence of the couple’s son, sparking nationwide outrage and renewed calls for stronger legal protection for victims of domestic abuse. Eyes Of Lagos reports,

A Shocking Turn of Events

According to reports, the altercation that led to Barrister Odu’s death occurred at their family residence. Her husband, identified as Christopher Odu, allegedly strangled her during a violent confrontation, leaving her lifeless before their terrified son.

Despite the severity of the alleged crime, sources claim that security operatives released Mr. Odu shortly after his arrest, a development that has fueled anger and frustration across social media.

Activist Toniabruisebutnotbroken, who has been following the case closely, expressed shock over what she described as “a disturbing miscarriage of justice.” She also raised alarm that the suspect was allegedly making arrangements to bury the deceased hastily, without the family’s full consent or proper investigation.

Background and Life of the Deceased

According to details shared online, Barrister Temitope (Temi) Odu was an accomplished legal practitioner who had recently been called to the Nigerian Bar in September 2025, marking a new chapter in her professional life.

Friends and colleagues described her as a hardworking, compassionate, and resilient woman, who had supported her family through years of hardship. Reports also reveal that she was the primary breadwinner and had built the family’s home through her effort and dedication.

She leaves behind three sons, who are now left to cope with the devastating loss of their mother and the trauma of witnessing domestic abuse within their home.

A History of Abuse

In her posts, activist Toniabruisebutnotbroken revealed that Barrister Odu had endured over two decades of physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her husband.

According to her, the late lawyer’s friends and family had long been aware of the abuse but were often powerless to intervene due to social and cultural pressures surrounding marriage in Nigeria.

The activist wrote:

“Temi suffered silently for years. She endured constant beatings and humiliation, yet she continued to protect her husband and hold her family together. Now, her silence has cost her life.”

This revelation has reignited conversations around domestic violence and femicide in Nigeria — and the alarming rate at which such cases are either ignored or inadequately prosecuted.

Public Outcry and Demand for Justice

Following the revelation, Nigerians have flooded social media with the hashtag #JusticeForTemiOdu, demanding the immediate rearrest of Christopher Odu and a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding his wife’s death.

Several human rights organizations and women’s rights advocates have also joined in, calling on authorities to delay any burial plans until an autopsy and legal inquiry are conducted.

Many have condemned the alleged decision by law enforcement to release the suspect so quickly, interpreting it as a reflection of institutional bias and indifference toward cases of domestic violence.

Activists are urging the Nigerian Police Force, the Ministry of Justice, and the National Human Rights Commission to take up the case and ensure that justice is not only served for Barrister Odu but that the nation’s laws protect other women facing similar abuse.

A Call to End Domestic Violence in Nigeria

The tragic death of Barrister Temi Odu once again highlights the urgent need for stronger domestic violence laws, better law enforcement accountability, and more support systems for abused spouses in Nigeria.

Her story is a painful reminder that silence and societal stigma around abuse often enable abusers to act with impunity.

As Nigerians mourn the loss of yet another promising woman, activists insist that justice for Temi Odu could set a critical precedent in the fight against gender-based violence