Landlord Burgles Tenant’s Apartment, Carts Away Properties To Recover Unpaid Rent

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE 

Police operatives from Ikotun Division have arrested a 35-year old landlord, Frederick Nkeke, who allegedly broke into his tenant’s apartment and carted away his properties to recover rent arrears in Lagos State. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at Oladunjoye Street in Ikotun area of Lagos, where the tenant, Christopher Nwagbo, rented an apartment.

The landlord, Nkeke has been charged before the Court after he broke into the apartment and stole some of the items worth N1.5m belonging to the tenant and was remanded in custody.

Some of the items allegedly stolen by the landlord included: plasma TV, LG home theater, three fans, wardrobe, cupboard, chairs etc worth the amount. 

Police alleged the landlord to have removed the properties after the rent of the victim expired and he was said to be  unable to pay the rent. 

Instead of the landlord to follow the due process to quit him, he resorted to self help to prevent going to Court to eject the tenant. 

The matter was reported to the Police at Ikotun Station and he was arrested and detained for interrogation over the act. He admitted to have done so but refused to write any statement to the Police at the station. 

Having been found culpable, he was subsequently charged before the Ejigbo Magistrates Court for conduct likely to cause breach of public peace and stealing, which attracts several years of imprisonment if he is tried and found guilty before the Court. 

When he was arraigned, he pleaded guilty.

The prosecutor, Inspector Simeon Njue, then asked the Court to give a date for face and sentence since he pleaded guilty to enable the Court to sentence him accordingly. 

The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. A. S. Okubule, ordered his remand in custody and adjourned the matter till 4th April, 2022, for facts and sentence.