Afeez Hanafi
If Sunday Godwin, a 49-year-old labourer in the Orile area of Lagos State, knew his life was on the line during an argument with Yakubu Abubakar, a porter (popularly known as cart pusher) in the neighbourhood, he would have probably forfeited the N200 change that culminated into his tragic end.
Abubakar reportedly stabbed the indigene of Bayelsa State in the neck at Eleganza Plaza, Alaba Suru, Orile for pestering him for the change.
Our correspondent learnt that Abubakar had carried some loads for a firm around the plaza which Godwin worked with last Saturday and was reportedly paid through the deceased.
It was gathered that Abubakar was supposed to give N200 change to Godwin, but he refused.
The deceased, on several occasions, reportedly requested the change from Abubakar to no avail.
Saturday PUNCH gathered that an argument eventually broke out between Godwin and Abubakar over the change which degenerated into a scuffle.
The suspect was said to have picked up a broken tile and stabbed Godwin in the neck. He was said to have fled the scene, leaving the victim in a pool of blood.
A trader in the area, who identified himself simply as Yusuf, said Godwin was rushed to a private hospital in Orile, where he was confirmed dead on arrival.
He said, “Abubakar was a cart pusher while Godwin worked as a labourer in a firm around Eleganza Plaza. On that day, the firm asked Godwin to get a cart pusherto join him in carrying some loads. When they were done, Godwin paid him. I did not know how much they agreed on and the amount he paid him, but I learnt Abubakar was supposed to return N200 change.
“The man (Godwin) asked for the change but it appeared Abubakar was not ready to return the change. After a while, Godwin insisted that he wanted to collect the change without any further delay. That was how an argument started between them. There were some pieces of broken tiles in front of a shop where tiles are being sold. Abubakar picked one and stabbed Godwin in the neck. He bled to death before he got to the hospital while Abubakar ran away.”
