Tenant sets landlord ablaze in Edo

Men of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Edo State Police Command are currently investigating the rationale for a tenant, identified as Jeff Obasohan, setting ablaze his 83-year-old landlord, Joseph Iyen, over unpaid bills.

The Guardian gathered that the incident happened on Wednesday at the deceased’s residence in Uwa Street, located between Second East Circular road and Third East Circular road in Benin, the state capital.

It was gathered that there had been a protracted quarrel between the octogenarian and Obasohan over his unpaid rent. Iyen was said to have given the suspect a quit notice on two occasions, when Obasohan allegedly refused to pay.

But the disagreement was said to have degenerated on Wednesday, leading to the tragedy. The old man was said to have died as a result of severe burns he sustained from the ‎fire.

Wife of the deceased, Esther, alleged that the tenant had threatened her life and that of her late husband.

“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 suspect could, however, not be reached for comments, as he was said to have been arrested by security operatives from the Esigie Police Division.‎

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Osifo Abiodun, confirmed the incident. He said the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.

“That is true. The suspect is in custody. The suspect has made a statement; the case has been transferred to the state CID‎,” Abiodun said on telephone.