A landlord identified as Benjamin Apeh has reportedly collapsed and died during an argument with his tenant over unpaid rent in Ogun State.

 

Police Spokesman, Omolola Odutola, who confirmed this in a statement issued on Tuesday said the inside happened at Arigbabu village, Sotubo in Sagamu Local Government Area of State.

Odutola said the suspected murder case was reported on Monday at 5 pm by the daughter of the deceased, Precious Apeh.

Precious told the police that her father argued with his tenant at 7.20 pm on Saturday over unpaid house rent. And at about 6.30 am on Sunday, she heard her father arguing with the tenant in front of their house, where the tenant threatened to kill him.

“During the argument, Apeh collapsed and was rushed to NNPC Hospital Mosimi but was later confirmed dead by the attending doctor.

The suspect fled the scene, but efforts are underway to apprehend him. 

“Detectives led by SP Temitope Fapohunda visited the scene, took photographs, and further updates will be communicated,” she said.

Odutola explained that the corpse of the deceased was deposited at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) Morgue, Sagamu.

A similar incident had occurred in the state in March 2023, when a 33-year-old woman, Ifeoma Ossai allegedly killed her 50-year-old landlord, Monday Surulere Oladele, over a minor disagreement.

The suspect was arrested following a report lodged at Sango Ota divisional headquarters by one Olaleye Taiwo.

Taiwo had reported to the Police that his brother, Oladele, had a fight with his tenant over an electricity bill, and in the process, the said tenant grabbed his manhood and dragged him with it.

According to him, the landlord fell on the ground and he was rushed to General Hospital, Ota, where he died.

The Police Spokesman, Abimbola Oyeyemi while speaking on the incident said following the report, the DPO Ota division, Saleh Dahiru, led his detectives to the scene where the suspect was promptly arrested and taken to custody for investigation.

“On interrogation, the suspect claimed that the deceased asked her to pay for the electricity bill, but she insisted that until water is directly connected to her apartment as promised by the landlord before she packed in she will not pay the electricity or any other utility bill.

“This led to a scuffle between them, the consequence upon which the suspect grabbed the manhood of the deceased and dragged him with it.

“The deceased subsequently slumped, and he was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead by doctor on duty,” Oyeyemi said.