MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 29-year old tenant, Nweke Friday, has been arrested and charged in Lagos for allegedly beating up his landlord, Olabode Arowojolu and damaging tiles in the apartment worth N3.5m over quit notice.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at Seliu Oje Street, Isheri Oshun area of Lagos, where the suspect resides.
According to the Police, the suspect had a disagreement with the landlord and was asked to move out from the three bedroom apartment, which he rented from the complainant. It was in the process that he had altercation with the landlord and he allegedly beat him up.
The landlord went to Isheri Oshun Divisional Police Headquarters and reported the matter. When the Police went to arrest him, he as well beat up the Police officer.
However, the Police later arrested and detained him at the station for interrogation over his alleged conduct.
After interrogation, the Police found him culpable and consequently charged him before the Ejigbo Magistrate Court for the alleged offence, which attracts several years of imprisonment.
The counts read:
COUNTI: “That you, NWEKE FRIDAY ‘M’, on 18/02/2025 at about 08:00hrs at No 31 Seliu Oje Street, Isheri Oshun, in the Lagos State magisterial district, did conduct yourself in a way and manner likely to cause breach of the peace by beating up one OLABODE AROWOJOLU ‘M’, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 168(d) criminal law of Lagos State Nigeria 2015.”
COUNT II:”That you, NWEKE FRIDAY ‘M’, on the same date, place and time at the aforementioned magisterial district, did threat to kill one OLABODE AROWOJOLU ‘M’, and thereby committed an offence contrary Section 56 (d) criminal law of Lagos state of Nigeria 2015.”
COUNT III:”That you, NWEKE FRIDAY ‘M’, on the same date, place and time at the aforementioned magisterial district, did willfully and unlawfully damage all building tiles of the above house address three bedroom flat you occupied valued 3,500, 000.00 (Three million five hundred thousand naira) and Xiaomi Redmi A3 android phone valued at 1,500, 000.00 (One million five hundred thousand Naira), property of one OLABODE AROWOJOLU ‘M’, and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 350 criminal law of Lagos state Nigeria 2015.”
COUNT IV:”That you NWEKE FRIDAY ‘M’, on the same date, place and time at the aforementioned magisterial district, did assault one INSPECTOR OGUNDARE TOPE ‘M’, while performing his lawful duty, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 172 criminal law of Lagos State Nigeria 2015.”
However, he pleaded not guilty.
The Prosecutor, Inspector Simeon Njue, then asked the Court to give a date for hearing since he pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that he actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. T.A. Popoola, granted him bail in the sum of N1m with two sureties in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses will be verified by the Court.
The matter was adjourned till 17th March, 2025, for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.
