Man, 25, imprisoned for setting father’s house ablaze

A Chief  Magistrates’ Court, sitting in Benin on Thursday sentenced a 25-year-old man, Trust Olitan, to five years in jail for setting his father’s house ablaze.

The convict was sentenced without an option of fine.

He was convicted for setting on fire, his father’s house, located at No. 6 Ore-Oghene Str., in Benin on Dec. 14.

Olitan pleaded guilty to the one-count charge

The court heard that Olitan on the fateful day set alight a rubber slippers, sprayed Kerosene round the house and threw the burning slippers into it.

The prosecution said the convict then watched the house go up in flames.

The Prosecutor, SP. Samuel Ogah, told the court that the convict had asked and failed to get his father, Mr Sunday Olitan, to part with N1,500 which he had demanded from him.

He said that Olitan also beat up his father with fist blows before setting the house on fire.

The fire was, however put off by well–meaning neighbours.

Delivering his judgment, Mr Peter Edo-Asemota, the trial Chief Magistrate, said that it was sad that the convict went to such an extent when his father failed to heed his demand.

“He told the police that he is engaged in furniture-making which he sells at Okada Junction on the Benin-Sagamu Expressway.

“One expects a responsible son of his age to pay homage to his father from time to time, especially at this end of year period rather than engaging in lawlessness,” Edo-Asemota said.

The court said the convict did not seem remorseful over his conduct since his arrest and arraignment for the crime.

The court emphasised that if allowed to go home, the convict might still set fire on his father’s house for not giving him the money.

Source:Vanguard