Landlord Arraigned Over Alleged Damage Of N6.5m Property

A 65-year-old landlord,
Bello Taofiki, last Thursday appeared before an Apapa Senior Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, charged with damage of his tenant’s property valued at N6.5 million.
Taofiki is standing trial on a two-count charge of stealing and wilful damage to property.
The prosecutor, Cpl. John Iberedem, told the court that the accused had on January  3 at 12.00 p.m. broke into his tenant’s room and damaged his property worth N6.5 million.
He alleged that the landlord took the laws into his hands after quarrelling with Sunday John, his tenant.
Iberedem said the offences were committed at No. 54, Apeno St., Olodi-Apapa, Lagos.
He said the accused also stole N500,000 from John’s room.
“The complainant reported the landlord to the police and the landlord was promptly arrested,’’ he added.
The offences, Iberedem noted, contravened Sections 306 (1) and 346 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Section 306 (1) stipulates five years imprisonment for offenders.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Oluyemisi Adelaja, granted the accused bail in the sum of N300, 000 with one surety in like sum.
She said the surety must show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government as part of the bail conditions.
The case was adjourned to February 7 for further hearing.