The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Landlord

  • Landlord cries out over plot to sell property

    Landlord cries out over plot to sell property

    A landlord in Banana Island, Lagos State, Dr. Ifeanyi Odii, has raised an alarm over what he described as a clandestine plot to sell a disputed property located at Plot B-7, 327 Close, Zone B, Banana Island, Ikoyi, despite an ongoing court case.

    The property in question is the subject of a legal battle pending before the High Court of Lagos State in Suit No. LD/12277GCMW/2024.

    Dr. Odii, through his legal team at Samuel N. Agweh (SAN) & Associates, had sued the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and others, challenging the approval and construction of a six-storey building on the land by Fandago Properties Ltd.

    Odii in his court filings, alleged violation of the Ikoyi-Victoria Island Model City Plan (Banana Island) 2013–2033 and the original building approval granted by the state government.

    According to court documents, the structure far exceeds the allowable building height, setbacks, and density for the area.

    Despite a stop-work order reportedly issued by the authorities on September 2, 2024, Odii in the court papers claimed that construction allegedly continued in defiance of government directives.

    He maintained that the building poses a threat to the environment and violates the rights and privacy of adjoining homeowners.

    He said: “The structure is illegal. It violates everything the Banana Island urban master plan stands for — from airspace obstruction to loss of privacy for neighbouring homes, and clear deviation from approved residential density.”

    With the case still before the court, the landlord is now raising the alarm over alleged attempts by the developers to discreetly sell the property.

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    In a statement by his lawyer, Mr Joseph Igwe, Principal Partner, M.O. Ubani SAN & Co, Odii warned unsuspecting buyers and real estate agents to be cautious, stressing that the matter is sub judice and any transaction at this stage could result in future legal complications.

    The statement reads: “It has come to our notice that there are ongoing clandestine efforts to sell off the disputed property to unsuspecting Nigerians, some of whom may or may not be aware of the pending suit and the serious violations involved.

    “We state that any transaction involving the purchase of the said property while litigation is pending is fraudulent, reckless, and legally dangerous.

    “The principle of lis pendens establishes that any purchaser who buys a property under litigation steps into the shoes of the seller and cannot escape the consequences of the ongoing court proceedings.

    ”We categorically state that we are not amenable to any settlement that disregards compliance with the approved building plan. Any purported buyer should be aware that they may face litigation consequences, and no form of indemnity or ignorance will shield them from the legal implications.”

  • Landlord seeks overturn of ruling returning property to bank

    Landlord seeks overturn of ruling returning property to bank

    A Lagos High Court will on January 9, 2025 decide whether a renowned National Security Strategist and  Armament Expert, Dr Olumide Wole-Madariola, can appeal a ruling that favoured the United Bank of Africa (UBA) in a property dispute.

    Wole-Madariola, a former President of The Nigeria Shooting Federation and Defence Strategy scholar, is seeking permission to appeal a December 3, 2024, order that reversed  the eviction of UBA from his Lagos property.

    The dispute stems from a previous judgment by Magistrate L.O. Kazeem, which granted Wole-Madariola possession of his property and ordered UBA to vacate the premises due to alleged years of unpaid rent.

    However, UBA appealed the Magistrate Court’s decision before  Justice Olalekan Oresanya of Lagos High Court who ordered a stay of the eviction and returned the property to its original state.

    Dissatisfied with this ruling, Wole-Madariola filed a motion seeking leave to appeal the High Court’s decision.

    Magistrate Kazeem had in its judgment, held that, “The claimant’s claims against the defendant’s possession of the office space at Awaye House and profit at the rate of N437,500.00 per month from July 14, 2022 till possession is given up.”

    He also held that the Tenancy Law of Lagos State is clear on how to get possession of any demised property.

    He declared that “it is trite that proper issuance and service of relevant statutory notices entitle any claimant of a demised property to an order of possession.”

    After citing a plethora of authorities, he held that: “A landlord has an unfettered legal right to terminate a tenancy upon giving adequate notice. After all, the property is his, and he can at any time retrieve it subject to the condition in the tenancy agreement.

    “Once he abides by the provision of the tenancy agreement, the tenant has no choice than to vacate possession. The provision of the law is as straight and as simple as that. It is almost like the day and night changing places.

    “What usually brings a problem between a landlord and a tenant is the giving of adequate notice.

    “What constitutes adequate notice is spelt out in the leave or tenancy agreement. In other words, the landlord must give the tenant the quit notice as provided in the tenancy agreement. If the tenant refuses to quit, a court of law can, on an action by the landlord, force him out of the premises.

    “The claimant effected service of statutory notice on the defendant, which DW1 confirmed to be aware of. Exh C11 was tendered without any objection from the defence, and during defence, DW1 also confirmed to be aware of the service of the statutory Notice (Exh C11) on the defendant.

     “The claimant has been able to prove his claim as to order for possession, and I so hold. Accordingly, the claimant is entitled to the possession from the defendant of the office space….The defendant is to vacate the office space.”

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    He ordered UBA Plc to pay the claimant mesne profit at the rate of N437,500 per month from July 14, 2022, until possession is given up.

    On the August 16, 2024, the execution was carried out by the Sherrif department of the high court of Lagos State and UBA was evicted from the property with all their belongings.

    Dissatisfied with the judgement of the lower court, UBA Plc filed an appeal in the suit marked LD/8462GCM/2024 at the High Court, wherein it asked Justice Oresanya to set aside the judgment and execution.

    UBA plc filed motion against Wole-Madariola and Assistant Chief Registrar (ACR), Deputy Sheriff Department, Sheriff Department High Court of Lagos State as first and second respondents, respectively.

    On December 3, Justice Oresanya in a ruling, held that the whole and in the final analysis the dictates of justice is in favour of granting the applicant’s motion seeking to set aside “the wrongful execution of the judgment of the lower court by the second respondent”.

    Justice Oresanya contended  that the application is meritorious and succeeds accordingly as he ordered that the “wrongful execution of the judgment of the lower court delivered on April 30, 2024 in suit No. MCA/3099/2022 is hereby set aside.“

    He added: “The second respondent shall stay the execution or further execution of the said judgment delivered by the lower court pending the determination of the applicant’s motion seeking leave to appeal and stay of execution in suit No. LD/5855/MJR/2024 pending before this court.”

    The judge further ordered that all parties in the suit shall return to status quo ante bellum regarding the subject matter of the suit pending the determination of the applicant’s motion for leave to appeal and stay of execution.

    Wole-Madariola, through his counsel, Chief Richard Ahonaruogho (SAN) leading Bar S.A Amubikanun ,in his motion on notice dated December 16, 2024, asked court to grant him leave to seek to challenge the ruling at the appellate court.

    The senior lawyer’s motion on notice was brought pursuant to Sections 6(6)(A) and 36 of the 1999 Constitution of the  Federal Republic  of Nigeria (as amended): Order 43 Rule 1 & Order 58 Rule 1 of the High Court of Lagos State  (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019.

    The plaintiff is also seeking an order of the court granting leave to the applicant to file his notice and grounds of Appeal against the ruling/orders of the court delivered on December 3, 2024.

    In his six paragraphs affidavit and seven grounds of appeal, he prayed the court for an order, staying the enforcement and execution of the ruling/orders in the suit made against the applicant on December 3, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the applicant’s appeal against the said ruling/orders.

    He also sought “an order of injunction pending appeal restraining the first respondent, its servants, agents, or privies from enforcing or attempting to enforce the ruling of the court delivered on the December 3, 2024 pending the hearing and determination of the applicant’s appeal against the said ruling dated December 3, 2024”.

    After Justice Oresanya had listened to the motion experte brought by UBA to stop the respondent from fencing the property, Chief Ahonaruogho SAN told the court that his client is a law abiding citizen who follows the rule of law.

    The matter is currently under review to ensure the integrity of the process. This review will help the judiciary determine the landlord’s entitlement to the property following the legal eviction of a tenant who had unpaid rent arrears and no existing tenancy agreement at the time of eviction. Additionally, it aims to clarify the legal provisions regarding reinstating a tenant to a property post-eviction.

    Justice Oresanya told the parties that the court would deliver its ruling on January 9, 2025.

  • Landlord’s son rapes girl in Lagos

    Landlord’s son rapes girl in Lagos

    A 14-year-old girl has been allegedly raped by the son of her landlord in Alakuko, Lagos.

     The incident, which occurred yesterday, has sparked outrage on social media and drawn attention to the plight of the victim’s family.

    The case came to light after an anonymous user, known as #Rhwaley, posted the incident on X (formerly Twitter).

    According to the post, the girl’s family confronted the landlord about the alleged rape, only to be met with indifference.The landlord reportedly dismissed their concerns, stating, “Nothing will happen.”

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    The post, accompanied by videos of the distressed victim, quickly gained traction, with many expressing anger and demanding justice.

    Another X user, Jubril A. Gawat, responded to the threat, encouraging the family to seek help. He advised them to contact the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), stressing that no one in Lagos should feel helpless in such a situation.

    Gawat pointed out that the state has mechanisms in place to address cases of domestic and sexual violence and urged the family to take action.

  • 65-year-old landlord bags life imprisonment for assaulting tenant’s daughters

    65-year-old landlord bags life imprisonment for assaulting tenant’s daughters

    A 65-year-old man, Igwe Ambrose, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for defiling two minors, aged seven and 11 years, who are daughters of his tenant.

    It was gathered that the accused was said to have inserted his fingers into the private parts of the minors.

    Justice Abiola Soladoye of an Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, on Monday, November 20, sentenced the convict to double life imprisonment on the four-count charge bordering on sexual assault by penetration and indecent treatment of a child, brought against him by Lagos state.

    The offences were committed between January and June 2021 at Shagari Estate, Ipaja, Lagos.

    Justice Soladoye held that the prosecution had proved the charges against the convict beyond reasonable doubt.

    Soladoye described the convict as a dirty old man who fingered and touched the breasts of the survivors under the pretext of helping them with their school homework.

    She said that the defendant was identified and that the evidence of the survivors exposed him as a bare-faced liar.

    She said his defence was untruthful and lacking in merit.

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    Justice Soladoye noted that the survivors decided to open up to their mother, who then informed her husband.

    She noted that the father thereafter confronted the defendant and the matter was reported to a police station.

    The trial judge noted that the police visited the scene and invited the convict to the police station for interrogation.

    The court noted that the convict denied the allegations against him.

    Justice Soladoye in her judgement however held that the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses, including that of the survivors, were credible.

    She said: “The defendant was identified as the assailant and their evidence was corroborated by their mother and the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) who visited the crime scene and a clear account of the assault and indecent treatment was confirmed.”

    The judge, thereafter, convicted the defendant of the four-count charge levelled against him, contrary to Sections 135 and 261 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

    Justice Soladoye sentenced the convict to life imprisonment on counts one and two and three years each on counts three and four.

    The trial judge also ordered that the name of the convict be entered in the Sexual Offences Register maintained by the Lagos State Government.

    During the trial, the state counsel, Mrs Olufunke Adegoke, called four witnesses, including the two survivors, their mother the survivors, and IPO through whom five exhibits were tendered.

    The convict testified for himself.

  • Landlord charged with stealing from tenant

    A landlord, Adekunle Santos, was yesterday brought before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court for allegedly removing the door of his tenant’s shop and carting away goods valued at N994,850.

    Santos, 63, of 1, Santos Avenue, Abule-Egba, Lagos, is standing trial before Mrs A. M. Davies on a four-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, damage and breach of the peace.

    Prosecuting Inspector Emby Ingobo alleged that Santos and some unknown persons, conspired and committed the offence at about 4pm on May 23, at his residence.

    Ingobo said: “Santos, in order to prevent his tenant Esther Demola, a hair stylist, from doing her business, unlawfully removed her shop entrance door, without lawful authority”.

    The court heard that Santos also stole electrical wire and goods valued at N994,850, from the shop.

    According to Ingobo, the offence contravened Sections 411, 280, 287, 273(d) and 168(1)(d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    Santos pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate Davies granted him N100,000 bail with one surety in the like sum.

    She adjourned till September 24.

  • 70-year-old tenant ‘beats up’ landlord over quit notice

    A 70-year-old businessman, Appinner Obilor, was yesterday arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly inflicting injury on his landlord over quit notice.

    Obilor, who lives in Oko-Oba, Lagos, is being tried for conspiracy and assault.

    The prosecutor, Ezekiel Ayorinde, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said the accused committed the offence on July 21 at his residence.

    The accused and two others at large, he said, conspired to assault his landlord, Mr Waheed Bello, over the quit notice.

    “The accused, who spent over five years in the complainant’s house without rent, conspired with his wife and son to beat up the landlord. The accused and family members punched the complainant severally all over his body, tore his clothes and also used a plank to hit him on his head which caused him harm.

    “The complainant reported the case and the accused was arrested,” the prosecutor said.

    The accused pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate B.O. Osunsanmi granted him N200, 000 bail, with two sureties in the like sum.

    The case continues on August 15.

  • Tenants vanish with landlord’s children in Edo

    Two female tenants identified as Mercy and Rose have reportedly disappeared with two children of their landlord at Utese village in Ovia North East local government area.

    Names of the children were given as Amada aged four and Christable aged two.

    They were said to have been left in the custody of the tenants by their mother who went to the stream to wash her clothes.

    The tenants who hailed from Cross River State were said to have moved to the community about three weeks ago and told their landlord that they do farm work and also engaged in hair making.

    When their room was broken into, it was discovered that they took their few belongings and vanished.

    Residents in the community told the distraught parents that they saw them stopping vehicles on the highway and they thought they were taking the children out as usual.

    Speaking to newsmen in Benin City, mother of the missing children, Faith Osaruoname, said she used to leave her children with the tenants whenever she is going out.

    Faith stated that she went to the stream with her eldest daughter and when she came back, she was told that the children went out with the children.

    She said it was when her husband returned that it dawned on her that the tenants have fled with her two daughters.

    “I thought the girls will soon return home with my children so I went to cook. After cooking, I wanted to go and get some water again when my husband came back.

    “He asked me about the children and I told him they went out with the tenants. I later ran out to look for them but did find them. I have been calling the numbers of those girls and they were switched off.”

    Father of the children, Omokpia Osaruoname, said he has reported the matter at the Okada Police Division.

    Omokpia said he was surprised when his two daughters did not come out to welcome him home.

    He stated that he was further shocked when his wife told him she has not seen the children since when she returned from the stream.

    His words, “I went to Benin by 8am. I left my wife and children at home with the tenants that have not spent up to three weeks. Their mother said she was going to the stream so she left the children with the tenants. My wife said she returned at about 5pmand did not see the children.

    “I said at 7pm my children are still not back. My wife ran out and started looking for them. She later called that they said the tenants have ran away with my children.

    “People said they saw them stopping taxi. We went to various police check points and the Okada Police Division.

    “One is a hairdresser. They don’t have any shop. They begged me to give them a shop in my house and I told them to wait till the end of the year. Some boys in our area who are their boyfriends used to come and see them.

    “They said their brother lives in the next village but I have not seen him before. I don’t have their photographs; I don’t know anything about them. They don’t have any property except for carpet, curtains and few clothes.”

  • Landlord gets N50,000 bail for slapping tenant

    A 40-year-old landlord, Leke Adebola, who allegedly slapped his tenant, was yesterday granted N50,000 bail by Magistrate O. A. Fowowe-Erusiafe of the Epe Magistrates’ Court.

    Adebola, who lives at Imokun Noforaji in Epe, is facing a charge of assault.

    Police Prosecutor Moses Oyekanmi told the court that the accused committed the offence on April 7 at 10.00 a.m. at his residence.

    According to Oyekanmi, the accused slapped his tenant, Mr Adekoya Olajuwon, across his face, causing him grievous harm.

    He said an argument ensued between the accused and the tenant who was complaining about the poor sanitary condition of the compound.

    “Before the complainant knew what was happening the accused slapped him in the face,” he said.

    Oyekanmi said the case was reported to the police, who invited the accused for questioning.

    The accused pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate Fowowe-Erusiafe granted the accused bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    He said the sureties should reside within the court’s jurisdiction and also show evidence of tax payments to Lagos State Government.

    The case was adjourned till May 17.

  • Landlord, children stab tenant to death in Imo 

    Landlord, children stab tenant to death in Imo 

    There was tension Thursday in Onumonu Street in Owerri Municipal Council Area of Imo State, when a Landlord, Paul Oparaugo, his wife and children, stabbed his tenant, Udochukwu Iwuoha to death.

    The victim, who was said to be the only male child of his parents, was stabbed severally by the furious Landlord and members of his family until he gave up the ghost.

    They fled immediately after committing the dastardly act to escape the wrath of the mob that had gathered.

    According to an eye witness account, the victim who lived in the ground floor of the one-storey building came back from work around 7pm on Wednesday and met a dead fowl on his entrance door and he went to ask his Landlord who operates a poultry farm close to the victim’s window.

    But the source continued that “the Landlord came out with a machete and cut the boy on the shoulder before his wife and children rushed out and started stabbing the boy with kitchen knives. It was his shout that attracted neighbors but before they could come to rescue the boy he had lost a lot of blood and he died on the way to hospital “.

    Confirming the incident, the State Commissioner of Police,  Mr Chris Ezike,  said the suspect and his family are on the run.

    He however assured that they will soon be arrested and prosecuted.

  • Landlord, tenant ‘rape’ girl, 13

    Landlord, tenant ‘rape’ girl, 13

    A 51-year-old landlord, Ishola Idris, was yesterday brought before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates Court for allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl.

    He was arraigned with his tenant, Linus Okonkwo, before Chief Magistrate Bolanle Olufunke Osunsanmi on a two-count charge of child defilement and sexual assault.

    Prosecuting Sergeant Raimi Idowu alleged that Idris made his victim a sex tool and threatened to kill her if she told anyone.

    The landlord was said to have committed the offence sometime in January at his 30 Celestial Road, Igando, Lagos home.

    The two-count charge against the defendants reads: “ That you, Ishola Idris sometime in January 2017 at 30, Celestial Road, Igando, Lagos did unlawfully defile one 13 years old girl child by having sexual intercourse with her.

    “That you, Linus Okonkwo sometime in March 2017 at 30 Celestial Road, Igando Lagos did unlawfully sexually assault one 13 years’ old by penetrating into her vagina with your penis.”

    The crime, according to the police, is punishable under Section 261 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty.

    Chief Magistrate Osunsanmi granted them N500,000 bail with two sureties each in the like sum.

    She adjourned till October 12.