MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 29-year old tenant, Divine Ofoma, has been arrested in Lagos State for allegedly threatening to kill his 85-year old landlord, Julius Adekunle, by chasing him with a cutlass over house rent.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at Ayorinde Street, by Haruna Bus Stop, Ogba area of Lagos.
The Police alleged that the suspect, Ofoma, created and instilled fear into the elderly landlord, Pa Julius Adekunle, by attempting to kill him using a cutlass to chase him away from his house.
The suspect was alleged to have had an issue with the landlord over payment of rent and instead of resolving the matter by paying his arrears of rent, he reportedly brought out the cutlass and attempted to kill the landlord.
The landlord, despite his age, had to run away in order to save his life and relocated elsewhere temporarily.
The alleged attempt on the landlord’s life was reported to the Police at the Area G Command, Ogba, Lagos. The Police moved into action, arrested Ofoma and detained him at the Command for interrogation over his alleged conduct.
During interrogation, he admitted to have used the cutlass to instill fear into the landlord but did not intend to murder him as the landlord claimed before the Police.
However, the Police found him culpable and subsequently charged him before the Ogba Magistrate Court for attempted murder, which attracts several years of imprisonment.
When he was arraigned however, he pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, DSP Clara Olagbayi, 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, Mrs. H. B Mogaji, granted him bail with two sureties, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while the addresses of the sureties must be verified by the Court.
The matter was adjourned for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the Correctional Centre at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.