An 18-year-old landlord, Similoluwa Akande, has been arraigned before an Akungba-Akoko Magistrate’s Court in Ondo State for allegedly setting fire to his tenant’s belongings valued at N898,000.
The police charged Akande with four counts bordering on felony over the incident, which allegedly occurred on August 19, 2026, at Okusa, Akungba-Akoko, within the Akungba-Akoko Magisterial District.
Police prosecutor, Olasunkanmi Boboye, told the court that the defendant allegedly set fire to the property of his tenant, Aseluwa Ezekiel, during the incident.
According to the prosecutor, the items allegedly destroyed included a bed worth N70,000, bed frame valued at N90,000, clothes estimated at N450,000 and a carpet worth N20,000.
He added that other belongings allegedly consumed by the fire included a gas cylinder, travelling box, shoes, curtains and rods, as well as N70,000 cash.
The prosecution further told the court that some official documents belonging to the complainant were also destroyed in the incident, with the alleged offences said to contravene Section 249(D) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.
Akande, who was not represented by counsel, pleaded not guilty to the charges. He also told the court that he had some medical problems.
Magistrate Kolapo Kolawole subsequently granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 and adjourned the case until September 9, 2026, for hearing.
