Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Ibeabuchi sent to mental institution

A heavyweight boxer accused of sexually assaulting an escort service employee last July will be spending some time in a mental health facility.

District Judge Joseph Bonaventure found Ikemefula "Ike" Ibeabuchi incompetent to stand trial Wednesday and committed him to a mental health facility near Lakes Crossing until he is deemed competent.

Bonaventure's decision came despite Ibeabuchi's insistence that he is well and that the committment is an insult to his manhood.

"If you want to do your job you can sentence me or do whatever," Ibeabuchi said. "I do not have any psychological problems ... I called a prostitute whose job it is to have sex with people."

According to police, Ibeabuchi lured a 21-year-old outcall service employee to his hotel room but wouldn't pay the $150 fee for an erotic dance.

The woman testified at a preliminary hearing that Ibeabuchi grabbed her and began to sexually assault her. He only stopped when a hotel security guard heard her cries for help, she said.

Last month, after learning Ibeabuchi refused to talk with psychology experts hired by his own attorney and the state, Bonaventure brought the boxer into his courtroom to talk to him.

At the end of the hearing, Bonaventure thought he had convinced Ibeabuchi to talk to the doctors and rescheduled a competency hearing for Wednesday so he could hear the results of those discussions.

Bonaventure was told again Wednesday that Ibeabuchi had again refused to meet with the doctors. However, Ibeabuchi surprised everyone in the courtroom when he took the judge up on his offer to allow him to visit with all three doctors at once in a jury room.

Ibeabuchi had earlier refused to answer Bonaventure's repeated question of "How are you feeling?"

After a two hour interview, all of the doctors agreed Ibeabuchi isn't competent to stand trial.

When Bonaventure announced his committment to the mental health facility, Ibeabuchi objected, saying he didn't talk to the doctors in order to be committed, he wants to stand trial.

"I want you to understand I don't feel comfortable going to any mental hospital," Ibeabuchi said. "I am not complying with your orders. I don't want to take any medication. I am well."

The judge said that perhaps he wouldn't be placed on medications and said he would appreciate it if he would just listen to his doctors.

"I want you brought back as soon as possible so we can get this matter straightened out," Bonaventure said.

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