Man stabs landlord over rent increase

The police on Thursday arraigned a 23-year-old man, Martins Kenneth, in an Apapa Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for allegedly beating and stabbing his landlord with a broken bottle after a rent increase.

Kenneth, a resident of  of Ajegunle, Lagos, is standing trial on a two-count of assault and unlawful damage.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Kokoye Olusegun, told the court that the accused committed the offences on July 18 at his residence.

Olusegun said that the accused unlawfully assaulted the complainant by beating him and also stabbing the complainant with a broken bottle on the hand.

“The complainant said the accused assaulted him because he decided to increase the house rent.

“He said that the accused, who was not happy about the increment, took a stone and damaged one of the glass doors in the house.

“The complainant said that when he confronted the accused about the damage he had done, the accused instead of apologising pushed him to the floor and started beating him.

“He said the accused also stabbed him with a broken bottle on the hand,’’ the prosecutor said.

Olusegun said that the case was reported to the police and the accused was arrested.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened sections 171 and 337 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, which on convict attracts three years imprisonment.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Magistrate, Titus Abolarinwa, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N50,000 with on surety in like sum.

Abolarinwa said the surety must be gainfully employed and should show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

He adjourned the case till Sept 9 for further hearing.