It was like a movie scene. As the man drove into his compound at 6 Mustapha Street in Baruwa, Ipaja, Lagos, some hoodlums on motorcycles swooped on him, bundled him into the trunk of his Lexus 330 Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) and sped off.
His fellow tenants watched as they went away with Tony alias, Yayo whose body was found the next day near Maryam Hall, about three streets away.
It was learnt that his killers dumped his mobile phone on his body and made away with his SUV.
According to the residents, Tony’s death was the beginning of their woes.
A tenant who gave her name as Kemi, said all the residents have vacated the compound, adding that they were advised by the agent to leave after another tenant, Chris Igombor was wounded on Saturday night, Fridays after Tony was killed.
Kemi told The Nation that she and many others left the compound before Igombor was attacked, attributing their exit to threats from the late Tony’s siblings and strange faces.
She said: “The compound has seven flats. Five flats are on the main building and two at the boys, quarters. When we heard of his death, other neighbours gathered and went to his flat to commiserate with his wife and siblings. While we were there, some weird looking men about 15 in number came in and we all left.
“We decided to have a meeting to discuss security related issues in order to forestall a recurrence of such incident but one of Tony’s brothers came there and was shouting that why is it now we want to have the meeting? That is it after his brother has been killed we would call for meeting? That they knew we (tenants) were jealous of Tony and that they would ensure we don’t have peace.
“One of their sisters, who is a policewoman also said the same thing and threatened some of us. In fact, they were attacking me that I knew when Tony got back and I knew he was attacked but I kept quiet. I asked them if I was the gate man or the one who usually opened the gate for their brother whenever he came back home. But the woman threatened me and said so many frightening things.
“The next thing she made a call and some guys came to the compound saying “you people have killed Tony, you won’t have peace in this house. So that night, a lot of us left the house and sought shelter elsewhere. I packed some of the things I would need and stayed away.
“Two people stayed back to pack their things. One of them later called me that those weird looking people came back and were shouting. That they had to call their relatives outside the premises who invited the police and the boys were escorted out of the compound. I was told that the policemen that came also warned Tony’s relatives to stop intimidating other tenants because of their brother’s death.
“But on Saturday night, one of the neighbours, Igombor was attacked by armed robbers. They hit his head with a gun and they took his money, Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards, phones and those of his wife as well as his laptop. He was rushed to the hospital where the injury was stitched.
“So, on Monday, the agent called for a meeting but only three of us attended. Other tenants didn’t show up. He then advised that for now, we should all vacate the premises so that things would calm down.”
Igombor said he did not know if there was any link between his attack and the threats.
The robbers, he said, came to the compound around 8pm on Saturday and used his daughter who was outside as bait.
Igombor said: “Honestly, I wouldn’t want to talk on Tony’s family’s behaviour. I also don’t know if there’s any link to the attack. But they really threatened us especially Kemi. There was rancour and tempers ran high.
“What happened on Saturday was that the gate was still opened. It was around 8pm and my daughter was outside my apartment. The armed robbers just escorted her into my apartment and immediately they saw me, they hit me on the head with their gun.
“They collected the cash I had at hand which was about N30,000, they took my laptop, phone, my wife’s phones and my ATM cards. They asked for my pins and threatened that they would come back for me if I gave them wrong pins. So, I gave them the pins of the two cards.
“Before I could call my banks to block the cards, they had already cleared all the money inside. I had N9,000 in one account and N30,000 in the other.
“While they were still at my place, some of them were dancing to the music I had on, while others robbed me. It was when they were leaving that one of them saw blood gushing from my head and he told me to go and wash my head. They locked us in one room. We stayed there until they had gone before we came out and I went to the hospital for treatment. I went to Ipaja Police Station and complained afterwards.
“Yes, there’s no one at the compound for now. The agent said they have to do certain repairs to improve security. It may take a week or so.”
The late Tony’s siblings declined comment. One of his brothers, Mark, who was contacted handed the phone to a woman, who passed it to another man that said he was a policeman and wouldn’t speak on the issue.
At the time of this report, the command’s spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent of Police (SP) had not replied our text.
Tag: TENANT
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Residents flee as hoodlums kill tenant, rob another
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Tenant pushes landlord from storey building down
The Police have arraigned a 32-year-old man, Akeem Sanni before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate’s court for alleged assault.
Akeem was arrested by men from Denton Police Station for allegedly pushing Jimoh Oriyomi, his landlord, down from a storey building.
Prosecuting Sergeant Maria Dauda told the court that the accused had on May 27 on 29, Park Road, Ebute Meta, Lagos pushed down Oriyomi from a storey-building where he was living.
She informed the court that the complainant, Oriyomi, discovered that Sanni had illegally “tapped” electricity supply from his flat without his permission.
“When the complainant accosted Sanni, he vowed to deal with him for discovering the illegal connection.
“On the day, Sanni had slapped Jimoh’s wife. While Jimoh was defending his wife, Sanni lifted Jimoh and threw him down from the one storey-building,’’ she said.
Sanni is facing trial on a charge of assault causing bodily harm.
It was said that the defendant had on several occasion threatened to injured the landlord and his wife.
The defendant pleaded not guilty.
Dauda told the court that the defendant has committed an offence punishable under Section 171 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, Nigeria, 2011.
Defence Counsel Saka Oladele applied for the bail of the defendant in the most liberal terms.
Magistrate Tosin Fowowe-Erusiafe admitted the defendant to N50,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.
She also ordered that the sureties must show evidence of tax payment to the state government.
She then adjourned the case to November 1 for mention.
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Tenant smashes caretaker’s head with hammer over rent
A 26-year-old man, Lucky Aigbogun, appeared in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court yesterday for allegedly smashing his caretaker’s head with a hammer.
Aigbogun, a resident of Shola Martins Street, Agege, Lagos, is facing trial for breach of peace and assault.
Prosecuting Inspector Essien Ndarake said the accused committed the offence on June 1 in Agege.
He said the accused assaulted his caretaker, Morakinyo Sunday, by beating and hitting his head with a hammer.
“The accused beat and hit the complainant’s head with hammer which caused him harm,’’ he said.
Ndarake said the complainant went to Aigbogun’s office to demand for the rent he owed when the incident happened.
“The complainant approached the accused for his overdue hotel rent, which he refused to pay. Aigbogun locked the complainant up in a room and beat him, but when he was not satisfied with the beating, he went further to pick hammer and hit Sunday’s head.
“The accused later unlocked his door when he saw blood gushing out of the complainant’s head and allowed him to go,’’ he said.
Ndarake said the offences contravened Sections 166 and 171 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, which attracts three years imprisonment on conviction.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the offences.
The Magistrate, Mrs E. Kubeinje, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
Kubeinje adjourned the case till June 22 for mention.
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Landlord docked for allegedly assaulting female tenant
A landlord, Segun Oye, who allegedly assaulted a female tenant, Uche Elodinmuo, has appeared before a Surulere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
The accused, 49, who lives at No. 4, Ayo Davies Close, off Ekololu Street, Lagos, is facing a two-count charge bordering on assault.
The prosecutor, Insp. Gabriel Ekundayo, said the accused committed the offence at the same address at about 8.45 p.m. on April 19.
Ekundayo told the court that the complainant, Elodinmuo, reported the incident at Orile-Iganmu Police Station.
“The accused came and assaulted her in front of her room when she complained about her missing fuel in the compound.
“Other co-tenants have been complaining about missing fuel too, suspecting the gateman may be stealing the fuel to fill the landlord’s generator.
“The landlord slapped the woman several times and also dragged her on the floor… she sustained bruises on her face and back.’’
The offences contravened Sections 348 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.
The accused denied the charge.
Ruling on the bail application of the accused, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs M.I. Dan-Oni, granted him bail in the sum of N50, 000 with one surety in the like sum.
Further hearing has been fixed for May 11.
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Tenant set Landlord ablaze in Edo
There was confusion on Uwa Street, in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, after a tenant, Jeff Obasohan, allegedly set his 83-year-old landlord, identified as Pa Joseph Iyen, ablaze.
It was learnt that the incident occurred on Wednesday, at the deceased’s residence located between Second East Circular road and Third East Circular road in Benin, the state capital.
It was gathered that there have been a protracted quarrel between the octogenarian and Obasohan over his unpaid rent.
It was learnt that the late Pa Iyen had also given the suspect a quit notice on two occasions, when he (Obasohan) allegedly refused to pay.
But the disagreement was said to have degenerated on Wednesday, leading to the tragedy.
The elderly man was said to have died, following the severe burns he sustained from the fire.
The incident also drew the attention of residents in the area who thronged the scene to sympathise with the victim’s family.
The wife of the deceased, Mrs. Esther, alleged that the tenant had threatened her life and that of her late husband.
She also said that the suspect had failed to pay his electricity bill.
The widower said, “He does not pay his house rent; he does not pay the light bill. Since 2014, we said he should leave this house; I don’t want trouble.
“He threatened to kill me or my husband. We took him to court. Then, my husband fell sick. Later, they said that the case had been struck out.”
The daughter of the late man, Faith Eganbor, alleged that the tenant had been officially asked to leave the building in 2014 and 2015.
Eganbor, who described his father as a “kind” man, called for a thorough investigation on the matter and ensure justice for the aggrieved family members.
“I need justice in my father’s matter. My father is a good man; he is kind to a fault. This is not the first time that this tenant has been asked to leave this house.
“They gave him quit notice early this year; 2014, 2015. We came this morning to find out (that) our father is dead; burnt,” Eganbor said.
But the suspect could not be reached for comments, as he was said to have been arrested by security operatives from the Esigie Police Division.
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Osifo Abiodun, told our correspondent on Thursday that the tenant had a protracted disagreement with the late landlord over unpaid rent before allegedly setting him ablaze.
He also said that the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
“That is true. Yes, he (suspect) is in custody. The suspect has made a statement; the case has been transferred to the state CID,” Abiodun said on telephone.
However, it was learnt that the remains of the late man was later taken to a mortuary by some security operatives.
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Tenant kills Landlord over electricity bill
A 75-year old landlord in Ondo town was last weekend reportedly killed by his tenant over electricity bill.
The Septugenarian named Kayode Osunkalu, was a retired civil servant at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and owner of a two-storey building located at 17, Ayeferere street, Ondo.
He was said to be hale and hearty before the unfortunate incident.
Sources said the late Septuagenarian, had before the incident had an argument with his tenant, Tope Akideji over electricity bill that was brought to the house by the officials of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).
Osunkalu was said to have ordered all his tenants to pay up within 24-hour the bill brought to the house by the BEDC.
The move was said to have infuriated the suspect which resulted into argument between them.
The suspect was said to have held the late landlord for several minutes and allegedly beat him.
The late landlord was said to have slumped in the process and was rushed to the Ondo State Specialist Hospital where he was later confirmed dead by the Doctors.
The Divisional Police Officer (DP0) in charge of Enuowa Division, Kunle Omisakin, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) confirmed the incident, adding that the suspect has been transferred to the homicide section in Akure for further investigation.
He said the remains of the late landlord had been deposited at the Ondo State Specialist Hospital mortuary, Ondo, while investigation has continued on the matter.
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Landlord arraigned for forceful ejection of tenant
A 43-year-old landlord, Dayo Ajayi, appeared before a Surulere Chief Magistrate’s Court in Lagos, charged with assault on a couple while they were sleeping.
The accused, who lives at Kelani Street, Surulere, Lagos state, is facing a two-count charge of burglary and assault.
Prosecuting Police Corporal Gbenga Salami, told the court that the accused committed the offence on March 13.
He said the accused forcefully broke the door and entered into the couple’s apartment because they owed him house rent.
The prosecutor added that, “After breaking into the apartment, the accused hit the couple’ back and fingers with broken bottles when they were sleeping and ordered them to pack out of his house that night.
“Neighbours begged the accused but he refused; and an eyewitness had to alert the police who then came and arrested him.’’
Salami said the offences contravened Sections 171 and 404 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.
Ajayi pleaded not guilty.
Chief Magistrate M.O. Olajuwon granted him N100,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.
She ordered that the sureties must show evidence of three years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government and must be residents of Lagos and have genuine means of livelihood.
She adjourned the case till June 24.
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Tenant tackles landlady over illegal ejection notice
A Lagos-based barber, Damilola Adebowale, of No 23 Major Akinola Street, Aboru, a suburb of Lagos State, has accused her landlady, Mrs S.O Sodimu, of planning to forcibly eject him from the house.
Adebowale said he was shocked to receive a quit notice from his landlady shortly after he paid a six month rent.
It was learnt that Adebowale had communicated his inability to pay one year advance rent to Mrs Sodimu, following which he paid for six months covering up to the June.
He said the woman collected the money for him and subsequently issued receipts for the payment.
He said that he was surprised to receive a warning from his landlady to vacate his apartment by May 31, 2015.
“I have been paying one year advance rent since I moved into the house a few years ago. This time around, I explained my inability to pay a one year advance rent and offered to pay six months’ rent and she agreed. She gave me receipts for the payment. My rent was to end by June, but I was shocked to receive a quit notice from her a few days after she collected the money from me. “
“The quit notice was issued by her lawyer called Bola Owosho and I believed that it was wrong for her to eject me from my apartment before my rent is due.
A copy of the ejection notice signed by Barr Bola Owosho reads in part: “I M.B.A Owosho hereby as solicitor to your landlord, Mrs S.O Sodimu, do give you notice to quit and deliver up possession of the one room (apartment) with appurtenances situate at the above address which you hold of him (sic) as monthly tenant on or before the 31st day of May 2015.”
In a telephone conversation with our correspondent, Barr Owosho said:” It is true that I issued the quit notice to Adebowale, but I cannot tell you the reason why his landlady instructed me to do so. The landlady is my client and the rationale behind the quit notice is not meant to be revealed to anybody.”
Meanwhile, Adebowale’s counsel, Barr Omobolaji Adejumo, cautioned against forcible ejection of his client.
Adejumo in a letter to Owosho, said:” Our brief revealed there is a subsisting and valid yearly tenancy agreement between our client and your client reserved the right to terminate such tenancy agreement. Our client does not wish to detain possession but will however insist on his legal right of being served the statutory six month notice of a yearly tenant.”
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Tragedy as tenant stabs landlord’s son to death …over minor quarrel
Tragedy struck on Sunday, May 3, 2015 at No 25, Ewuga Street, Makun, Sagamu Local Government, Ogun State, when a tenant, Segun Oso allegedly killed his landlord’s son, Temitope Sogede during a scuffle.
Segun, a tipper driver was said to have thrown a harmful substance on the floor in the house, which Temitope’s child, Semilore, swallowed.
Semilore subsequently developed complications which landed him in a hospital.
Segun, who had gone to church when the child swallowed the object soon returned and was challenged by Temitope, for bringing home the harmful substance.
A fight then broke out between them but were separated by other occupants of the building.
All was thought to be over when Segun unexpectedly grabbed a knife and stabbed Tope as he was returning to his apartment.
Tope’s elder brother, Mr Olawale Sogede, said of the incident: “It was Tope’s wife who told her husband about the incident on the phone and he quickly rushed home. A fight broke out when he (Tope) rebuked Segun for bringing the dangerous substance home. I was the one that separated them and we thought the feud was over.
“Tope was going to his apartment not knowing that Segun was still upset with him. Tope suddenly screamed that he had been stabbed in the back by Segun. We rushed to the scene and found Segun holding a blood stained knife with which he used to kill my brother.
“It was Segun’s wife who collected the knife from her husband and tried to hid it from policemen. We could not stop Tope’s bleeding by applying first aid, hence, we took him to a private hospital in the community, where he died while receiving treatment.”
It was learnt that Segun had lacerated his body with a sharp object and told policemen at the Makun Police Station that he was stabbed during a fight with one of his neighbours.
He was said to have been referred to a hospital for treatment.
Unknown to Segun, the hospital he was referred was the same hospital where Tope was rushed for treatment.
It was at the hospital that police detectives arrested him after his complicity in the matter was revealed during investigation.
He is currently held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta.
The spokesman for the State Police Command, Mr Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the incident.
“It was a case involving two occupants of a building. One of them was the son of the owner of the building and he was allegedly killed in the course of the fight. The suspect (Segun) is in our custody while the case has been transferred to SCID for further investigation.”
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Court orders landlord, tenant to explore out of court settlement
Justice Owolabi Dabiri of Lagos State High Court, Ikeja has directed a landlord,Mr. Banji Adesanmi and the Lagos State to settle with a tenant, Yemi Omodele.
Justice Dabiri gave the order while ruling in a suit filed by Omodele against his landlord and five other defendants.
The other defendants include Construction Management Skill Ltd, Peace Tiding Ventures Limited, Mr. Leke Oyetan, Attorney General of Lagos State and Commissioner of Finance Lagos State
Omodele had appeared for himself in the suit as plaintiff while Miss. Hallima Ahmed and Olawale Ijabiken appeared for the first to fourth defendants and for fifth and sixth defendants respectively.
Omodele, in the suit NO. ID/974/2013 claiming jointly and severally against the defendants a sum of N100, 000,500.00 as damages for segregation and sealing of a building belonging to his landlord, Adesanmi, located at 2, Akinremi Street, Anifowoshe, Ikeja allegedly by agents of the government.
The plaintiff is claiming that part of the building which was sealed up on June 28, 2013 was not reopened until February 7, 2014, the day the suit filed in court since December 10, 2013 came up for hearing for the first time.
According to the plaintiff, while the part he claimed to be occupying was sealed up, the part of the building that is occupied by the landlord and his two companies joined in the suit, was not sealed by the government.
At the resumed hearing of the matter which was to hear two notices of preliminary objections filed by counsel to first to fourth defendants, the trial judge brought it to the notices of counsels that the issues raised in the suit are matters that be settled out of court.
She ordered parties in the suit to therefore seek solution to the dispute outside the court since the issue involved are landlord-tenant matter.
“I have read the papers filed in this suit. The issues are what can be resolved. Counsels and the parties are to meet and resolve the dispute amicably. Case adjourned to November 21, 2014 for report of settlement or hearing of the two notices of preliminary objections filed”, the judge ordered.