The Police in Osun State on Wednesday dragged a 50-year-old landlord, Adebayo Cosmos, before a Magistrate’s court sitting in Ile-Ife for alleged forcible gaining entry into the apartment of one of his tenants.
The Prosecutor, Inspector Monday Ojiezele, told the court that the accused committed the offence on April 7, 2017, at Parakin area of Ile-Ife.
Ojiezele said that the accused landlord conspired with one person, now at large, to break into the room of Leke Babasanya, who is one of his tenants.
He added that the accused unlawfully destroyed the padlock, which Babasanya used to lock his room, before gaining entry into it with intent to commit felony.
The prosecutor said that the accused committed the offence when the complainant had left the house.
According to him, the offence contravened Section 410 and punishable under Sections 411 (1), 451 and 516 of the Criminal Code Cap 41, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.
The landlord, however, pleaded not guilty to the three count-charge of conspiracy, housebreaking and destruction of the padlock preferred against him.
Defence Counsel, Mr. Johnson Williams, applied for bail for the accused in most liberal terms, pledging that his client would not abuse the bail if granted.
Magistrate Olalekan Ijiyode then granted Cosmos bail in the sum of N50, 000 with one surety in like amount.
Ijiyode added that the surety must swear to affidavit of means, reside within the court’s jurisdiction and present two recent passport photographs to the court.
He adjourned the case till May 24 for hearing.
