Rift over unpaid rent.

Rifts over unpaid rent has caused a tenant to set his landlord on fire

– The landlord died of several burns sustained from the incident

– The suspect was reportedly given a quit notice before he committed the crime

– Police have apprehended the suspect, interrogations are still ongoing

A middle-aged tenant in Benin, Jeff Obasohan, has allegedly set his 83-year-old landlord, identified as Pa Joseph Iyen, ablaze, over unpaid rent.

The elderly man was said to have died of severe burns he sustained from the ‎fire.

The incident which occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, March 16, at the deceased’s residence located at Uwa street, between 2nd East Circular road and 3rd East Circular road in Benin, followed a lingering quarrel between the octogenarian and Obasohan over the unpaid rent‎.

It was gathered that the late Pa Iyen had given the suspect a quit notice on two occasions, when he (Obasohan) allegedly refused to pay.

The disagreement was said to have degenerated in the evening of Wednesday, leading to the tragedy.‎
fire-burn

A tenant in Benin has been arrested for burning his landlord to death.
The incident also drew the attention of residents in the area who thronged the scene ‎to sympathise with the victim’s family.

The wife of the deceased, Mrs Esther, who alleged that the tenant had threatened her life and that of her late husband, said the suspect had failed to pay his electricity bill.

“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,” she said.

Also speaking on the incident, daughter of the late octogenarian, 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.

“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.

“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.

As at the time of filling this report, it was gathered that the suspect have been arrested by policemen attached to the Esigie police division, while the remains of the deceased had been deposited at the mortuary of an undisclosed hospital by some security operatives.

When contacted on phone, the state police spokesman, ASP Abiodun Osife, confirmed 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,” Osife affirmed.
Source》 naij