20th July, 2018
Paul Iyoghojie
A 73-year old Lagos Island landlord, Prince Adekunle Akinsemoyin has been sentenced to 10 months imprisonment for illegally removing the roofing sheet of his two tenants and demolishing their toilet at his residence.
The residence is located at 24, Okiti lane, Off Iga-Iduganran Street, Lagos Island.
The convict, who claimed to be a retired soldier from the Nigerian Army in 1978 was jailed by Magistrate A.T. Omoyele at the Magistrate Court, Lagos State after she found the convict guilty of the three count charges of illegally removing his two tenants’ roofing sheet, malicious damages and conduct likely to cause breach of peace preferred against him by the police at the Adeniji Adele Division, Lagos Island, Lagos State.
Omoleye, however, gave the convict an option of fine of N90,000 which the convict promptly paid into the account of the Lagos State Government.
Omoyele also discharged and acquitted the convict’s alleged accomplice, Musa Kalawu, 75, due to lack of cogent evidence to link him with the offence.
Police alleged that the journey to jail started for Akinsemoyin on 14 June, 2015 when he recruited armed thugs to invade the apartments of his two tenants, Wasiu Ramon and Fatai Andoyin to remove their apartment roofing sheets, and demolish their toilets without authority.
Following the development, the victims reported the incident to the DPO in charge of Adeniji Adele Division, Lagos Island, Lagos who directed his men to go to the scene of incident and arrest the convict and his accomplice.
Police counsel, Cyriacus Osuji informed the court in charge No L/14/2015 that Prince Adekunle Akinsomoyin recruited thugs to remove his two tenants apartment roofing sheet and demolished their toilet in a bid to illegally eject them from his house without following due process.
Osuji said the offences committed were punishable under Section 409, 166(d) and 338 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.
Magistrate Omoyele sentenced Akinsomoyin to 10 months imprisonment with an option of N90,000 fine and discharge and acquitted Musa Kalawu for want of evidence.