MICHAEL AKINOLA
The Ondo State Police Command has arraigned an 18-year-old landlord, Similoluwa Akande, before a Magistrate Court sitting in Akungba-Akoko for allegedly setting his tenant’s belongings ablaze following a disagreement over accommodation.
Akande is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Police Prosecutor, Olasunkanmi Boboye, told the court that the incident occurred at about 10 a.m. on August 19, 2026, at Okusa, Akungba-Akoko, within the Akungba-Akoko Magisterial District of Ondo State. According to Boboye, the defendant and the complainant, Aseluwa Ezekiel, had been having issues relating to the tenancy, which later escalated to the alleged destruction of property.
The prosecutor told the court that Akande allegedly set the household items ablaze after the dispute. He said the fire consumed several valuables in the apartment and left the tenant with significant losses. Items listed by the prosecution included a bed valued at N70,000, a bed frame worth N90,000, clothes estimated at N450,000 and a carpet valued at N20,000.
Boboye further informed the court that other properties destroyed in the incident were a gas cylinder, a travel box, shoes, curtains and rods. He added that the defendant also allegedly destroyed N70,000 cash and some official documents belonging to the complainant. The prosecutor said the total estimated value of the items allegedly destroyed was put at N898,000.
The charges filed against Akande were said to contravene Section 249(D) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006. The section addresses willful and unlawful damage to property, an offence that attracts severe penalties under state law.
When the charges were read, Akande, who appeared in court without legal representation, pleaded not guilty to all four counts. He also told the court that he was dealing with medical issues and sought the court’s understanding. He did not provide further details about the nature of the medical condition.
After hearing submissions from the prosecution, Magistrate Kolapo Kolawole granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with conditions attached. However, the defendant was remanded in Correctional Center pending when he will perfect his bail conditions. The magistrate stated that the remand would remain in force until the bail requirements were met.
The court adjourned the matter until September 9, 2026, for hearing. The prosecutor said he would be presenting witnesses and exhibits to establish the case during the next sitting.
Residents of the Okusa area said the incident had caused concern in the community, with many urging calm and asking both parties to allow due process. The Police said investigations into the matter are still ongoing.