Nigeria: “Evicted Tenant Faces Charges for Alleged Theft of Electrical Fittings in Lagos Court”
By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria
In a legal proceeding before the Ebute-Metta Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State, a 48-year-old evicted tenant named Paul Orizu faced charges of theft of electrical fittings valued at N500,000 from his former residence. The police brought forth allegations of repossession, breach of peace, and theft against Orizu.
According to the prosecutor, Supol Chinalu Uwadione, the incident occurred on June 22, 2023, at No. 12/13, Badagry Expressway, Orile-Iganmu, Lagos. Orizu purportedly unlawfully regained possession of an apartment from the landlord, despite the landlord’s recent legal eviction through a court order. Subsequently, Orizu allegedly deprived the landlord of access to the property by placing his padlock on the apartment after his belongings were removed by judicial personnel.
Additionally, it was alleged that Orizu’s actions disrupted the peace by obstructing the landlord’s rightful possession of the property. Furthermore, Orizu stands accused of stealing bulbs and electrical fittings valued at N500,000 from the premises, which belong to the landlord, Mr. Lawrence Abayomi.
The charges brought against Orizu contravene sections 104 (i) (h), 168 (d), and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
During the court proceedings, Orizu pleaded not guilty to the charges. Magistrate Waliu Salami granted him bail in the sum of N200,000, with two sureties required to present evidence of tax payment to the Lagos state government and verification of their addresses.
The case is scheduled for mention on April 15, 2024.
Onozure Dania, a correspondent of The PUNCH covering judicial matters, reported on this development. With over a decade of experience in reporting on criminal and civil cases from the magistrate to the appellate courts, Dania is a graduate of Political Science.
