Ajah landlord drags tenant to court for allegedly partitioning apartment without consent

By Paul Iyoghojie

Operatives of the Zone 2 Command, Lagos have arrested a tenant at Ajah area of Lagos Henry Chijioke Chukwuma, 34, and dragged him before a Lagos Magistrates’ Court for allegedly partitioning his rented apartment located at Vintage Estate, Ajah, Lagos without the consent of his landlord, Moses Okeoma.

Police alleged that the defendant rented the flat in good faith and that shortly after parking his property in, he allegedly embarked on partitioning the apartment by changing the position of the bathroom door and damaging the wall.

Police said the unauthorized actions of the tenant breached the building plan regulating Law of the Government.

Following the development, the landlord petitioned the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Olohundare Jimoh who dispatched his men to the property to arrest the tenant before the situation would degenerate into breach of peace.

And after investigation by Inspector Odijile Eghonghon and his team, the defendant was charged before the Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos on a one-count charge bordering on willful damage to bathroom wall and door.

Police prosecuting Counsel, Supol Reuben Solomon informed the court that the defendant ought to have obtained permission from his landlord before making any structural adjustment to his apartment since he didn’t complain about the apartment before parking his property in.

Solomon said the unauthorized action of the defendant is against the government building plan and is punishable under section 337 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The defendant, however pleaded not guilty to the charge and Magistrate, Mrs T.O Abayomi granted him bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Abayomi adjourned the case till 14 August 2026 for mention.