Residents of Uwa Street, Benin, Edo State were shocked when a tenant, Jeff Obasohan, set ablaze his 83-yearold landlord, Pa Joseph Iyen, during a heated argument.
Obasohan reportedly poured petrol on the octogenarian and set fire on him. Iyen died as a result of the fire. It was learnt that the incident occurred on Wednesday night at Iyen’s house located between Second East Circular Road and Third East Circular Road in Benin.
Iyen’s widow, Esther, alleged that the tenant, who failed to pay his rent and electricity bill, had threatened her life and that of her husband.
She said: “He does not pay his house rent; he does not pay electricity bill. Since 2014, we said he should leave this house; I don’t want trouble. He threatened to kill me and my husband. We took him to court. Then, my husband fell sick. Later, they said that the case had been struck out.” The suspect was said to have been arrested by police from the Esigie Police Division.
The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Osifo Abiodun, confirmed the incident yesterday. Osifo explained that the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation. He said: “That is true. Yes, the suspect is in custody.
He has made a statement; the case has been transferred to the SCID.”
