Landlord Seizes Tenant’s Property Over N312,000 Electricity Bill, Rent Arrears

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

It was double trouble for an embattled tenant, Franklin Owuoma  who reportedly owed his landlord, Pastor Cosmos Dike three years arrears of rent and accumulated electricity bill worth N312,000, then the landlord asked him to pack out from his apartment.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that while Owuoma attempted to vacate from the apartment, the angry landlord, Dike reportedly seized his property and handed him over to the police at Area M Idimu over accumulated electricity bill.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that Owuoma was  arrested and charged before a Lagos court and was remanded in prison custody.

The police alleged that Owuoma incurred an accumulated bill worth N312, 000 and therefore, he had committed a criminal offence and was charged accordingly.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that Owuoma moved into the house and when his rent elapsed, he was unable to renew it because his business was facing challenges.

He pleaded with the landlord for patience for those years but instead of his business to improve, it got worse.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that when the landlord could not bear it any longer, he asked Owuoma to park out.

It was while the tenant attempted to move out because of his inability to pay house rent and electricity bill, that the landlord seized his property and later handed over to the Police.

When Owuoma was arraigned before Ejigbo Magistrates court, he pleaded not guilty.

The presiding Magistrate, Mr Akeem Fashola granted him bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum.

However, Owuoma was remanded in prison custody pending when he will perfect his bail condition.

The matter was adjourned till 26 July 2017.