'Aboki' trader kills customer over N10 cigarette

Alli Mustapha, a 42-year-old indigene of Niger State, is currently in the dock for allegedly stabbing a customer, Idowu Maliki, to death over N10 cigarette in the Ikotun area of Lagos State.

According to reports, Mustapha who runs a petty good shop at Imope Compound in the area, had allegedly sold a stick of 'White London' cigarette to Maliki, on March 7, 2015, but the deceased refused to pay when the trader requested for his money.

The argument that ensued following Maliki's refusal to pay up, led to a fight and the suspect was reported to have hit the victim on the head with a long stick and he slumped.

When efforts to revive him failed, Maliki was rushed to the Igando General Hospital where he was confirmed dead.

During interrogation at the police station, Mustapha admitted to committing the crime but insisted that the deceased had first hit him.

"I don’t know the man’s name, but he comes to my place to buy things. On the fateful day, he came to buy a stick of cigarette. He did not pay for it.

He returned few minutes later and wanted to enter my shop. I refused to allow him. But as I tried to stop him, he took a stool and hit me with it.

Then he started looking around for other things to hit me and that was when I quickly grabbed a long stick which I usually kept in my shop to protect myself, and hit his head with it."

The police have arraigned Mustapha on a one-count of murder before an Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court.