Landlord arraigned for forceful ejection of tenant

A 43-year-old landlord has appeared before a Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly breaking into his tenant’s apartment and assaulting the couple living in it.
The accused, Dayo Ajayi, is facing a two-count charge of burglary and assault.

Ajayi, the landlord of No. 14, Kelani St., Surulere, Lagos, however, pleaded not guilty to charges preferred against him.

 

But the Prosecutor, Cpl. Gbenga Salami, told the court that the offences were committed at 11.20 p.m., on March 13, at the house owned by the accused that he also resides in.
He told the court that Ajayi forcefully broke into his tenant’s apartment because he was being owed him rent.

“After breaking into the apartment, the accused hit the couple with broken bottles at their backs and fingers while they slept.
“He threatened them to pack out of the house at midnight,’’ Salami said.

 

According to Salami, the offences contravene sections 171 and 404 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs M.O. Olajuwon, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
She ordered that the sureties must show evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos State Government, must be resident in Lagos and must have genuine means of livelihood.
She adjourned the case till June 24 for trial.