Landlord Locks Out Tenants Over Rent

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

A landlord in Lagos, Mr. Offikwu Emmanuel, has been arrested for conducting himself in a manner that could cause breach of public peace by locking out his tenants from their apartments.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at Anuoluwapo Street in Agege area of Lagos where Mr. Emmanuel owned a house.

Police sources said that the number of tenants affected were about eight including other occupants living with the tenants. It was gathered that the embattled landlord was angry that the tenants were not living up to their agreed terms by paying their rents as and when due which caused the disagreement that led for the landlord’s action.

The tenants, on the other hand alleged that since they moved into the house that their conditions became worse. They accused the landlord of probably being the cause of their predicaments through the things he may have done in the building foundation which had affected their fortunes to the extent that they could not feed their families or pay rents.

P.M.EXPRESS learnt from some tenants around Lagos that some landlords do bury charms while doing the foundation of such houses which sometimes affect the fortunes of the tenants.
It was gathered that Mr. Emmanuel suddenly went to the house one evening and forced the tenants out from the house over disagreement concerning rents arrears. Some of the tenants were said to have owed huge arrears of rents which did not go down well with the landlord.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that the disagreement had lingered till the day the landlord targeted and locked the entrance gate with key and disallowed the tenants from going in. The tenants remained outside till about 11pm on that day pleading with the landlord to no avail as he insisted that the tenants should pay their rent or move out from the house.
The matter was reported to the police; he was arrested and taken to the police station over the conduct.
He was said to have insisted that he will not open the house and the police found his action culpable to cause breach of public peace.
He was subsequently charged for his conduct at the Ogba Magistrates court before the Chief Magistrate, Mrs. A.O. Adedayo.
He pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Mr. Raphael Dony, did not oppose his bail.
Thus, he was granted bail and remanded in prison custody pending when he will perfect his bail condition.