Man Charged For Arson Over Inability To Part With N20k Bribe

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

A 37-year old man, Chizoba Ihejirika is now languishing in prison custody after he was arrested and charged to court over his inability to part with N20,000 bribe demanded by the police at Igando Division, Lagos.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that the offence Mr. Ihejirika was alleged to have committed may land him up to 10 years  in prison if found guilty of arson over the exchange of words between him and his landlord.

When our correspondent contacted the DPO Igando Division, he said that he was not aware of such matter and expressed shock that Ihejirika was charged for such serious offence without his knowledge.

According to the suspect’s wife, Mrs. Rita Chizoba, her husband had exchange of words with their landlord, one Ogunbiyi Matthew over electricity bill after their light was disconnected. The landlord then contacted one Inspector Balogun attached to Igando Police Division who sent a police officer to their house at 2 Shobowale Street, off Modina Road, Egan area of Lagos to arrest the suspect and his wife.

It was gathered that when the officer brought only the husband to the police station, Inspector Balogun was not happy and then directed a female police officer, one Eniola Ademola to take over the matter as the IPO and allegedly directed her on what to do.

According to Mrs. Rita Chizoba, the landlord told Inspector Balogun that her husband damaged his toilet pipe but at the police station the police changed it to threat to life and the IPO asked her to bring N20,000 or more serious charges will be added to the offences alleged and he will becharged to court.

Mrs. Chizoba said that when she went round to borrow money to bail her husband to no avail, she returned to police station and informed the IPO that she was unable to raise the money.
She said the charge was prepared and her husband was charged to court on an entirely different allegation to their shock.

P.M.EXPRESS sighted the charge against Mr. Ihejirika which stated that he threatened the life of one Ogunbiyi Matthew with five gallons of petroleum ostensibly to burn him in his house which Mrs. Chizoba claimed never happened.

However, when the charge was read he pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Inspector G. Simon did not object his bail and asked for a date for the trial of the matter.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. L.K.J. Layeni granted Ihejirika bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.
He was remanded in prison custody pending when he will perfect his bail condition.
The matter was adjourned till 28 May, 2018.