Impact Stories
Chidinma
was working as a waitress and lived at Egbeda in Lagos State. Sometime in
October 2020, her husband brought a Washing Machine home, and this caused a
rift between him and the landlady's son who said they had no right to own a
washing machine while owing rent. They explained that the pandemic had affected
their income as the husband lost his job and they were managing with the little
she was earning. The rent just expired at the time, and they wanted to renew it
but all their pleas fell on deaf ears.
The
landlady's son keeps hurling insults at them every time they get to meet in the
compound. On one occasion, Chidinma couldn't take his insults anymore, so she
went out to tell him off. The space between their rooms was so small that while
gesticulating, her hand hit the Louvre of the landlady's room and one of the glasses
split into two. All hell was let loose as this incident was used as an
opportunity to arrest Chidinma. She was charged to court for damage to property
worth #20,000 and the picture of the louver was attached.
She
perfected her bail but couldn't continue to pay for the services of a lawyer.
She visited our mobile office and after listening to her story, our lawyer- Itunuoluwaawolu,
and Eniola Omosehin took her brief and
met
with the complainant to see how the matter could be resolved amicably. The
complainant said she wanted possession of her property and until that is done,
she would keep the current charge in court. Our lawyer explained to her that
it's a civil matter and she needs to follow the proper eviction processes and
not victimize her with a criminal charge.
Chidinma
was also advised to look for another accommodation in the interim. The matter
suffered 12 adjournments and the Complainant always gives one excuse or the
other to evade testifying in court. On
18/8/22, the Court granted the prayer of our lawyer- Thecla Onuagu and the
matter was struck out for want of diligent prosecution.
