The Ekiti State Police Command has arrested a tenant, Tunmise Abraham, for killing his landlady, Bukola Olanrewaju, in Olorunda area of Ado-Ekiti.
Tunmise, 39, reportedly committed the offence last Thursday, August 22, 2019 before escaping to Ondo State.
Parading the suspect before newsmen on Tueday, Ekiti State Police Commissioner, Asuquo Amba, said the suspect escaped to Ijare in Ondo State after killing the 38-year-old mother of three, then sought refuge in a church.
He said Tunmise however told his relatives that he ran away from Ekiti because he killed someone, a confession that made them took steps to report him to the police.
Speaking on what transpired before he committed the murder, Tunmise said the deceased usually called him names like stammerer and lunatic, but he had actually gone to her on that day to collect the balance of his house rent before a fight ensued.
” I wanted to collect my balance because I was planning to leave the house, but a fight ensued and she scratched me with her fingernails. I left and came back to see her holding a stick, so I collected the stick and hit her with it.
”I didn’t rape her as alleged. I was trying to tie her hands so that she could calm down but she held her pant to hide both hands. It was when I tried removing her hands that the pant tore.
Reacting to the arrest, the husband of the deceased, Raphael Olanrewaju, said Tunmise planned the act because his wife told him to go to work, a statement the suspect took as an insult.
”He was sick and my wife had to call his relatives who sent money for us to take care of him. After his recovery, I asked him why he didn’t go to work and that was when my wife said he should try to work as a man. He was visibly angry and he threatened to deal with my wife but I rebuked him.
”He had been a torn in the flesh and his relatives always asked if he stole any time I reported him to them. It was after the murder that we saw some things in his room that showed he’s not just a labourer, he’s a thief. ”
Meanwhile, the police Commissioner has assured that thorough investigation will be carried out and suspect will be charged to court as and when due.