Tenant Docked For Allegedly Beating Landlord

A tenant, Chidi Moneke,
38,  who allegedly beat his landlord over electricity bill, was on Thursday docked before an Oshodi Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
Moneke, who resides at No.15, Bada Street, Mafoluku, Oshodi, is facing trial on a four-count charge of threat to life, unlawful damage, breach of peace and assault.
The prosecutor, Cpl. Kehinde Olatunde, told the court that the accused, on October 10 at his residence, assaulted his landlord, Mr Palinue Udeogu, by beating him over unpaid utility bills.
“The accused descended on his landlord by punching him and caused injuries on his eyes, mouth and noise.
“The accused assaulted the complainant simply because he asked him to pay his outstanding electricity bills,’’ the prosecutor told the court.
Olatunde said that the complainant escaped from the beating when the accused ran into his house to pick a cutlass.
“The complainant ran into his compound and locked his gate to avoid being killed by the accused who went violent,” he said.
According to him, the accused forcefully damaged the entrance gate, valued at N500,000, to attack him.
“The accused ran after the complainant with a cutlass, destroyed the gate to his house and threatened to behead him,” he told the court.
Olatunde said that the offences contravened Sections 56, 166, 171 and 348 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Section 171 prescribes three years jail term for an offender on conviction.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
The Magistrate, Mr Akeem Fashola, adjourned the case till today, November 5 for trial.