A 55-year-old landlord, Oyetunji Oyebode, who allegedly locked up his tenant indoor, was on Friday brought before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
Mr Oyebode, a resident of No. 46, Adesiyan St., Ilupeju area of Lagos, is being charged for breach of peace.
The prosecutor, Michael Unah, a police sergeant, told the court that the accused committed the offence on May 28 at about 3.45p.m. at No. 46, Adesiyan St., Ilupeju, Lagos.
According to him, the accused conducted himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace by forcefully locking up the complainant, Adebukola Shitta, in her room.
The prosecutor said that the accused collected N103, 000 for house rent from the complainant, promising to repair the roof of the room, but failed to do so.
Mr Unah said that the complainant repaired the roof with her money and moved in.
“The accused asked the complainant for more money when her house rent has not expired, but she refused to give him.
“The complainant was in her room when the accused used another padlock and locked her up in the room,” he said.
The offences contravened Section 168 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015, Revised.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that the section prescribes a six-month imprisonment or a fine of N90, 000 for offender upon conviction.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.
The Magistrate, A. A. Fashola, granted him bail of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
Mr Fashola said that the sureties should be gainfully employed with an evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government and have their addresses verified by the court.
He adjourned the case until July 2 for mention.
NAN
