Forceful Ejection: Landlady Seeks Out Of Court Settlement

A Lagos landlady, Mrs. Iyabo Alege, 53, of 11, Ereko Street, Mushin, Lagos, southwest Nigeria, who is standing trial at a Yaba chief magistrates’ court on four counts criminal charge of conspiracy, stealing, malicious damage and threat to life of her tenant, is seeking an out of court settlement.

The landlady and five other persons now at large were alleged to have, in November 2010, forcefully entered the room of one of her tenants, Lawal Afis, in a bid to eject him from the said room.

The tenant alleged that in the process of the forceful ejection, his N650,000 was stolen, and some of his property were damaged.

The prosecuting police officer, Sergeant O. Benson, said the offence allegedly committed by the accused landlady contravened sections 516, 390 (4) (b) 451 and 88 of the criminal code cap 38 volume 2 laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2004.

When the matter was mentioned last Tuesday the counsel to the accused, Mr. Ademola Ayanbadejo, told the court that his client is currently negotiating with the tenant for amicable settlement and that they are in the course of getting through.

Mr. Ayanbadejo also told the court that his client has agreed to pay N200,000 which shall be paid in two instalment. This position was corroborated by the counsel to the tenant, Mr. Mukaila Aremu, from Campaign for the Defence of Human Right, CDHR.

The presiding magistrate, Mrs. O. Matepo, adjourned the case till 19 June, 2012 for report of settlement.