A tenant, Jeff Obasohan, set his 83-year-old landlord, Pa Joseph Iyen, ablaze on Wednesday, at the deceased’s
residence located on Uwa Street, in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo
State.
residence located on Uwa Street, in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo
State.
The Nation newspaper reports that there have been a protracted quarrel
between the octogenarian and Obasohan over his unpaid rent.
between the octogenarian and Obasohan over his unpaid rent.
It was learnt that the late Pa Iyen had also given the suspect a quit
notice on two occasions, when he (Obasohan) allegedly refused to pay.
notice on two occasions, when he (Obasohan) allegedly refused to pay.
But the disagreement was said to have degenerated on Wednesday, leading
to the tragedy.The elderly man was said to have died, following the
severe burns he sustained from the fire.
to the tragedy.The elderly man was said to have died, following the
severe burns he sustained from the fire.
The wife of the deceased, Mrs. Esther, alleged that the tenant had
threatened her life and that of her late husband.She also said that the
suspect had failed to pay his electricity bill.
threatened her life and that of her late husband.She also said that the
suspect had failed to pay his electricity bill.
The widower said,
“He does not pay his house rent; he does not pay the light bill. Since
2014, we said he should leave this house; I don’t want trouble.
“He
threatened to kill me or my husband. We took him to court. Then, my
husband fell sick. Later, they said that the case had been struck out.”
The daughter of the late man, Faith Eganbor, alleged that the tenant had
been officially asked to leave the building in 2014 and 2015.Eganbor,
who described his father as a “kind” man, called for a thorough
investigation on the matter and ensure justice for the aggrieved family
members.
been officially asked to leave the building in 2014 and 2015.Eganbor,
who described his father as a “kind” man, called for a thorough
investigation on the matter and ensure justice for the aggrieved family
members.
“I need justice in my father’s matter. My father is a good man; he is
kind to a fault. This is not the first time that this tenant has been
asked to leave this house.
kind to a fault. This is not the first time that this tenant has been
asked to leave this house.
“They gave him quit notice early this year; 2014, 2015. We came this
morning to find out (that) our father is dead; burnt,” Eganbor said.
morning to find out (that) our father is dead; burnt,” Eganbor said.
But the suspect could not be reached for comments, as he was said to
have been arrested by security operatives from the Esigie Police
Division.
have been arrested by security operatives from the Esigie Police
Division.
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Osifo
Abiodun, told our correspondent on Thursday that the tenant had a
protracted disagreement with the late landlord over unpaid rent before
allegedly setting him ablaze.
Abiodun, told our correspondent on Thursday that the tenant had a
protracted disagreement with the late landlord over unpaid rent before
allegedly setting him ablaze.
He also said that the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
“That is true. Yes, he (suspect) is in custody. The suspect has made a
statement; the case has been transferred to the state CID,” Abiodun
said on telephone.
statement; the case has been transferred to the state CID,” Abiodun
said on telephone.
However, it was learnt that the remains of the late man was later taken to a mortuary by some security operatives.