Man Arrested Over Dead Lover’s Property

The police have arrested a 47-year old father of two, Emmanuel Temuru, at the Igando area of Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, after he allegedly refused to hand over to her family the property of his late lover, Margaret Usen.

Temuru, who allegedly gave the late Margaret the impression that he was a bachelor while they dated, also allegedly took over the possession of the late woman’s property after signing an undertaking to release them to her family.

The rearrest of the suspect, who had earlier been arrested over the death of the deceased, followed a petition written to the office of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2, Onikan, Lagos.

In the petition, Mr. Usen Ibanga Ibanga, representing the deceased’s family, alleged that his sister died mysteriously on 13 February, 2011 after she was taken to Precious Clinic and Maternity Hospital, situated at Apena Street, Papa Maru, Abeokuta, Ogun State by Temuru without informing her family.

He also claimed in the petition that on the said day, his sister was not sick as she woke up early in the morning to prepare food after which her lover took her to the hospital.

Mr. Ibanga further said that before his late sister met Temuru, she worked with Ocean Energy in Victoria Island before the company relocated and she lived with her mother and siblings at 5, Olupitan Street, Idimu, a suburb of Lagos.

She, however, relocated with the man to 39, Obayan Street, Akoka, Yaba, after she met Temuru in 2007, against the wish of her mother.

Ibanga said after the death of his sister, Temuru was arrested and detained at the Idimu Police Station and that during investigation, he confessed that his late lover actually had two completed buildings and landed property and promised to hand them over to the family.

He said Temuru was released after signing an undertaking with three sureties in the presence of the police.

In the undertaking, dated 26 May, 2011 and made available to P.M.NEWS, Temuru had denied that his late lover had any property, adding that his earlier position that he was aware that the lady was building a house was intended to further boost the love between them and earn the loyalty of the late Margaret.

He promised to make available N2.05 million to the family. Part of the amount, he said, was for the Nissan Extera which money he collected from his lover and refused to make full payment.

However, in another undertaking he had signed prior to the death of Margaret, he confirmed that he was aware that she was building a bungalow.

In the undertaking which he called an ‘oath,’ and dated 24 July, 2010, and personally signed, he promised to fully support her to complete the bungalow the deceased was constructing in her mother’s name and that should anything happen, he would not fail to keep his promise.

“I am fully aware of the stage of the property (80 per cent completion) and, also make this promise not to reveal until keys and papers are handed to her mother (Madam Felicia Usen).

“This oath was taken under my free will and with good condition of mind, so that my wife (Margaret) will experience my loyalty and faithfulness,” he stated in the undertaking.

Temuru allegedly absconded and never fulfilled his promise.

He was rearrested at the weekend after the police picked up his younger brother, who was one of the three persons that signed as sureties for him when he was his first arrested.

Temuru could not be reached as he was still in police custody at the time of filing this report.

—Eromosele Ebhomele & Ayodeji Dedeigbo