Landlady Sues Dead Tenant Over Unpaid Rent

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The Ejigbo Magistrate’s Court, Lagos State on Tuesday was dramatic when the court was told that the respondent in a civil matter had died before the suit was filed. The respondent, Bosun Felix Agunbiade, died eight years ago. Mrs. Funmilayo Oshinaike of 5, Araromi Street, Ejigbo, Lagos, landlady of the deceased Agunbiade dragged her dead tenant to the court to recover arrears of rent totalling N450, 000 and take possession of the apartment.


Elizabeth Agunbiade, wife of the respondent, who was present, told the court that her husband died eight years ago and her landlady knew, but still went ahead to file the suit. She said she was not served with any court paper. But the landlady told the court that she filed the suit in Agunbiade’s name because he was his tenant.

It was gathered that after the tenant’s death, his family continued to live in the apartment. Two years ago, the rent was hiked and the widow was unable to pay. Elizabeth’s revelation that her husband died eight years ago aroused laughter in court, with the magistrate and everyone present at the court wondering why a dead man should be dragged to court.

While adjourning the case till February 5, 2013, the magistrate asked the widow to prove her claims at the next court appearance.