Landlord punches off tenant’s son’s teeth over greetings

A landlord, Segun Abiodun, who allegedly beat up his tenant’s son and punched off his teeth for not greeting him, was brought before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court.

The accused, 45, a fashion designer, who resides at 82, Capitol Road, Agege, a suburb of Lagos, is being tried for assault.

Police Prosecutor, Raji Akeem, told the court that the offence was committed on Dec. 19, 2017 at the residence of the accused.

Akeem, an inspector, said the accused, who is the landlord of the boy’s mother, Mrs Titilayo Makanjuola, claimed that the 17-year-old boy, Sodiq Makanjuola, failed to greet him when they saw each other.

“The accused beat up the boy and removed two of his teeth; he also threatened to beat up the mother when she reacted.”

He said when the police got to the landlord’s house to arrest him, they were told that he had travelled.

The accused was, however, arrested when he eventually returned.

The offence contravened Section 246 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015(Revised).

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr T. O. Shomade, granted the accused N50,000 bail with two sureties in like sum.

Shomade ordered the accused to pay N5,000 into the account of the court’s Chief Registrar as part of the bail conditions.

He adjourned the case until Feb. 9 for mention.