CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
A 44-year old landlord, Olawale Pelewura, has landed in trouble in Lagos State for allegedly hiring suspected thugs and forcefully ejecting his tenant, Godwin Onuja, without a Court order and damaging his properties worth N2.3m.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at 6 Silifatu Akinsanya Street, Ijeshatedo, Surulere area of Lagos, where the landlord, Pelewura, owns a property.
He has been arrested and charged before the Surulere Magistrates Court on a four-count charge of conspiracy, wilful damage, forceful eviction and stealing.
The prosecutor, Inspector Courage Ekhueorohan, told the Court that the landlord, Pelewura, committed the offence on 10th December, 2022, when he hired thugs now at large and forcefully ejected his tenant, Godwin Onuja, from his apartment without securing a Court order.
The prosecutor stated that the defendant, Pelewura and his accomplices, damaged chairs and stole cash, wrist watches, gold chain and CD set all valued at N2.3m. And the alleged offence contravenes the provisions of Sections 168 (D), 287, 350 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O. O. Otitoju, granted Pelewura bail in the sum of N500,000, with two responsible sureties in like sum. The Court ordered that the sureties must be relatives of the defendant and have a valid means of identification and livelihood.
However, the defendant was remanded in custody pending when he will perfect his bail conditions while the matter was adjourned till 20th January, 2023, for further hearing.