Businessman docked over alleged damage of building materials

A 54-year-old businessman, Tunde Fisayo, who allegedly broke into a neighbour’s property and destroyed his building materials, was on Wednesday brought before a Yaba Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

Fisayo, who resides in Lekki area of Lagos, is facing a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, willful damage and criminal damage to property.

The Prosecutor, Cyril Ejiofor, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on Dec. 5, at Oye Balogun Street, Freedom way, Lekki phase 1, Lagos.

He said the defendant broke into the property of the Complainant, Mr. Clement Ayika, and destroyed 300 bags of cement, a drilling machine, the fence, roofing sheets, and the boundary signs.

He said the defendant claimed to be a landowner (Omonile) in the area and had been requesting for settlement from the complainant.

“My Lord, because the complainant had refused to give Fisayo money, he and his thugs broke the fence of the property to get in and destroyed the building materials,” he said.

The offences contravened Sections 339, 355 and 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

The offence of willful damage attracts two years jail term.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Magistrate, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Ojuromi, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

Ojuromi said the sureties must be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

She adjourned the case until March 11, for trial.

Credit: Independent Newspaper