Landlady, 72, charged with stealing tenant’s N500,000

A-72-year-old landlady, Bamidele Ogboro, who allegedly stole her tenant’s N500,000 and unlawfully ejected him out of her house was arraigned on Wednesday in Lagos. Ogboro, a resident of No. 6, Shopeju St., Shogunle, Lagos State is being tried for breach of peace, conspiracy and stealing at an Oshodi Magistrates’ Court. The prosecutor, Cpl. Kehinde Olatunde, told the court that the accused committed the offences on March 2 at her residence. Olatunde said that the accused and others still at large unlawfully ejected one Mr Ejikeme Hypolite, by throwing out his property from his rented apartment. “The accused hired five men to damage the complainant’s door so as to gain entrance into his room. “The accused threw the complainant’s property outside from his apartment and locked it up.”

 

Olatunde said that the complainant who went on a two-day trip returned to meet his property scattered outside the house and discovered that his N500,000 and documents had been stolen. “The complainant said that the missing N500,000 was the house rent amount he had earlier given to his landlord which she rejected then. “Other documents include: his primary school leaving certificate and his university certificate.”

 

The prosecutor said that the accused took the law into her hand after she had insisted that the complainant must pack out of her house and rejected his rent money. He said that the offences contravened Sections 166, 285 and 410 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. Section 285 prescribes a three- year jail term for offenders. The accused pleaded innocent to the offences and was granted bail in the sum of N50, 000 with one surety in like sum. The magistrate, Mr Akeem Fashola, adjourned the case to March 10 for mention.