Roommates remanded in custody after argument escalates into scuffle

Two men accused of injuring their roommate during an argument at their Birkirkara residence have been remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to charges of slight bodily harm and threats.

Eno Thompson Eyanga, 37, and Ibrahim Tanimou, 36, both from Cameroon, stand accused of causing slight bodily harm to their roommate by using a cutting or pointed instrument, without intending to kill him or place his life in manifest jeopardy.

Eyanga is separately accused of causing slight bodily harm to the victim, while the two men are jointly charged with threatening or insulting him.

Both men, who live in Birkirkara and are employed, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The validity of their arrest was not contested.

The prosecution objected to the defence’s bail request, arguing that the men are failed asylum seekers and do not have sufficiently strong ties to Malta, as well as the fact that the alleged victim lives in the same apartment as the accused and cited the gravity of the charges against them.

Following a brief suspension, the defence informed the court that the case stemmed from what it described as a harmless argument between roommates which escalated into a scuffle.

Moreover, the defence explained that it was the alleged victim who had started the argument, adding that any use of knives during the incident had been minimal and in self-defence.

They stressed that the incident was a one-off, telling the court there had been no previous fights or reports involving the men.

The accused also expressed regret about what had happened, the defence said.

The court also heard testimony from Tanimou's partner, who said she was willing to accommodate the two men, meaning they would not have to return to the residence they shared with the alleged victim.

Despite the alternative accommodation being offered, the court rejected the request for bail at this stage with the court ruling that the accused did not have sufficiently strong ties to Malta and also taking into consideration the gravity of the alleged offences.

The two men were consequently remanded in custody.

Inspector Clayton Abela prosecuted.

Lawyers Eman Scicluna and Fleur Abela appeared for the accused.

Magistrate Caroline Farrugia Frendo presided over the sitting.