Joy Anyim
A 30-year-old man, identified as Temitayo Philips, has allegedly stabbed a co-tenant, Oladotun Opeyemi, to death during an argument over the non-payment of electricity bill.
It was gathered that Philips and the deceased lived at No 4, Sebi Kezeem Street, Cele-Egbe, Ikotun.
Information had it that Philips owed N21,500 as electricity bill, and one Lateef Banjo and the deceased, had approached him to pay the debt.
Not pleased with the visit, Philips had reportedly engaged the duo in a fight, threatening to kill them.
They landed at the Ikotun Police Division the next day where the matter was resolved and Philips signed an undertaking not to harm his co-tenants and pay up his debt.
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In spite of the police intervention, Philips had picked a fight with Banjo and Opeyemi later that evening, and stabbed Opeyemi with a knife on the chest.
Opeyemi lost much blood and died shortly afterwards, while Philips was nearly lynched by an angry mob, but was rescued by operatives of the Ikotun Police Division.
Speaking on how the incident started, Banjo said: “Philips, Opeyemi and I lived in same compound, and our electricity bill had accumulated.
“When the bill for April came, we agreed we wound raise a good amount of money for payment to avoid been disconnected. We shared the money accordingly, Philips, who we fondly call Temi, was owing N21,500.
“The neighbours recommended his light be cut off, but I pleaded they allow me talk to him. I assured them he would pay once I make him see reasons. I went to his house with Opeyemi, and we knocked on the door.
“He responded and when we told him our mission he came out and started insulting us. He asked if we were police officers to be questioning him over the non-payment of bill. The argument led to a fight.
“ Philips went into his apartment to get a pestle and threatened to us.
“I ran to call neighbours who intervened and I also went to report to the landlord who promised to take care of the situation the next morning.
“Later that night, I saw him walking aimlessly in the compound and I suspected the worst.
“The next morning, with the permission of the Landlord, I called some soldiers, who bundled him to the Ikotun Police Division. While there he still threatened us.
“The police officers had to make him sign an undertaking not to harm us and also pay his debt.
“We left the station and went to the landlord’s brother’s house to also let him know what was going on.
“It was while we were returning later that some neighbours ran to us, and told us Philips was waiting for us holding a knife. We went in and confronted him telling him we will not continue to tolerate his attitude.
“He left us in anger and returned an house later, shouting ‘ I will kill someone, where are they’.
“We quickly closed the gate. But after much plea from other neighbours, we allowed him in.
“But we held sticks for self-defence. He came holding a knife and ran towards me to stab me but I narrowly escaped it, and ran to another compound for safety.
“He aimed for Opeyemi, whom he stabbed on the chest. Opeyemi started shouting for help, but before help could come he was gone.
“Seeing he had killed someone, he ran away. He went to a hotel to hide. But after much search by neighbours he was found and handed over to the Ikotun Police Division. “
Lagos Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Elkana Bala, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), confirmed the incident.
Bala said: “We have a case of a man who stabbed another to death. Mob almost killed him, but police had to rescue him.
“The suspect is in our custody, and is still receiving treatment because he was badly injured by those that had beaten him up.
“As soon as he is fit to stand trial, he will be charged to court.”
