Tenant burns octogenarian landlord to death

Thursday, March 17, 2016 6:17 pm

Jethro Ibileke/Benin

Tragedy has struck at Uwa Street, in Benin, capital of Edo State when a tenant, Jeff Obasohan, reportedly set his 83-year-old landlord, Pa Joseph Iyen, ablaze, following disagreement over unpaid accumulated rent.

Faith Eganbor: daughter of Pa Iyen; wants justice

The incident which occurred Wednesday night at the deceased’s residence located between 2nd East Circular road and 3rd East Circular Road in Benin, was a result of an argument between the landlord and Obasohan over his unpaid rent‎.

It was gathered that the landlord had given the suspect quit notice on two occasions, when he allegedly refused to pay his rent, but the quarrel resulted to Pa Iyen’s tragic death on Wednesday, following severe burns he sustained from ‎fire.

The wife of the deceased, Mrs. Esther Iyen, alleged that the tenant had threatened to kill her as well, adding that the suspect had also 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.”

Daughter of the deceased, Faith Eganbor, who described her father as “a kind man,” confirmed that the tenant had been asked to leave the building in 2014 and 2015 and called for a thorough investigation in 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,” Faith said.

When contacted, Edo State Command spokesman,DSP Osifo Abiodun, who confirmed the incident, said the suspect has been arrested, adding that the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.