A 44-year-old landlord, Okechukwu Chukwunahi, on Tuesday appeared before the Ojo Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for an alleged ‘trial by ordeal’.

The police charged the defendant with conspiracy and trial by ordeal.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecution counsel, Simon Uche, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on February 21 at Ira Quatres, Ojo Lagos.

He said that following a misunderstanding with his tenants, the defendant resorted to taking their names to a deity “Arusi Okija” shrine.

According to the prosecutor, the nominal complainants are Onyeka Ibeabuchi and Chimezie Ezeuka.

He said the tenants later received a call from the shrine priest, inviting them to appear in person before February 27 or risk death.

The prosecutor said the defendant had initially referred the matter for mediation and later to a court in Badagry but, feeling unsatisfied, resorted to illegal means of trial by ordeal at the shrine.

He said the offence contravened sections 127 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Magistrate L.J.K Layeni admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N300,000 with two sureties in like sum.

He adjourned the trial until March 20.

The section punishes anyone who directs or presides over a trial by ordeal as a felon and punishes it with ten years.

(NAN)