Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested a Ghanaian national, Samuel Frimpong, for allegedly removing the roof of his tenant’s apartment in Mgbuoba, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.
The suspect was accused of de-roofing the residence of his tenant, Anozie Tochukwu, located at No. 7 Chief Chike Street, following a disagreement over his failure to vacate the apartment after the expiration of a two-week grace period.
It was gathered that the landlord resorted to the action after reportedly asking the tenant not to renew his rent due to planned renovations of the property.
Narrating his ordeal, Tochukwu said he moved into the house in January 2024 and had consistently paid his rent.
According to him, his landlord served him a notice late last year, informing him of plans to renovate the apartment and directing him not to renew his tenancy, which expires in January 2026.
He said he subsequently secured a new apartment and pleaded for 14 days to relocate.
“On February 1, 2026, I showed him evidence of payment for a new apartment and asked for two weeks to move out,” Tochukwu said.
“But to my greatest surprise, at about 8:02 a.m. on February 3, my wife called to inform me that the landlord had removed the roof of our apartment. A few hours later, heavy rain started and all my properties, documents and certificates were exposed.
“My pregnant wife and my two children, aged two and three, were also exposed to the rain.”
The distraught tenant claimed that property worth about N25 million was destroyed in the incident, including household appliances, furniture, documents and personal belongings.
He listed items allegedly damaged or missing to include a television set, deep freezer, chandelier, furniture, certificates, books, clothes, foodstuffs, medications, footwear and a savings box containing several months of savings.
Police sources said detectives from the Ozuoba Division arrested the landlord on Wednesday after the matter was reported.
Confirming the arrest, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, said the suspect was in custody and investigations were ongoing.
“Yes, I can confirm. The landlord has been arrested and is with the police. Investigation is ongoing and he may be arraigned after the investigation,” the Chief Superintendent of Police said.
Reacting, a legal practitioner and member of the human rights group, Lawyers Watch for Justice International Initiative, Raymond Okocha, described the incident as a “grave injustice” and a violation of due process.
He said the landlord allegedly took the law into his own hands without serving the statutory notices required under the law or obtaining a court order.
“Under Nigerian law, self-help is not permitted. You cannot evict a tenant by destroying property. Due process must be followed through the courts,” Okocha said.
“By removing the roof, the landlord has not only breached the Recovery of Premises Law but also violated the family’s fundamental right to dignity. This amounts to malicious damage and psychological abuse. We are calling for justice.”
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