An 18-year old landlord, Similoluwa Akande, has been arraigned before a Magistrate’s Court sitting in Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, for allegedly setting fire to the property of his tenant, one Aseluwa Ezekiel.
Akande was arraigned by the police on a four-count charge bordering on felony.
According to the prosecution, the defendant allegedly committed the offence on August 19, 2026, at about 10 a.m. at Okusa, Akungba-Akoko, in the Akungba-Akoko Magisterial District.
The Police Prosecutor, Olasunkanmi Boboye, told the court that Akande unlawfully set fire to Ezekiel’s belongings, including a bed valued at N70,000, a bed frame valued at N90,000, clothes valued at N450,000 and a carpet valued at N20,000.
Other items allegedly destroyed included a gas cylinder valued at N8,000, a travelling box valued at N35,000, shoes valued at N100,000, curtains valued at N30,000, rods valued at N5,000 and cash amounting to N70,000.
The prosecution said the total value of the property was N898,000, adding that some official documents were also destroyed in the incident.
The offences were said to contravene Section 249(D) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
The defendant, who was not represented by a lawyer, pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him. He also informed the court that he had medical issues.Nigerian political analysis
In his ruling, Magistrate Kolapo Kolawole granted Akande bail in the sum of N500,000.
The court adjourned the case to September 9, 2026 for hearing.
Source: HOPE