Tenant dislodges landlord, collects rent as owner

By Felix Kuyinu

John Ogbaki has been arraigned at the Ejigbo Magistrate Court after he was alleged to have dislodged his landlord, took over the ownership of the house and had collected rent for two years at the latter’s house situated at Pasty Lane, New Oko-Oba Estate, Agege.

Reports scooped that out of fear cum the will to chase the 57-year old accused away from the building, the house owner had hurriedly relocated abroad, prepared a letter (the power of attorney) and handed the house to a female housing agent identified as Gloria.

Some residents were still surprised how Ogbaki managed to dislodge the owner and forced other tenants to pay rent directly to him as the new landlord for some years before the agent – Gloria intervened.

It was gathered that Ogbaki’s illegal possession was halted when Gloria informed him that she had been given the power of attorney to manage the property. He however insisted that the house belonged to him and asked the agent to produce the landlord.

The argument was reported to the police at Area M Command, Idimu following a petition to the Area Commander, Austine Akika.

During interrogation, Ogbaki was asked to produce the documents that showed that he was the owner of the house but was unable to produce any. The police then discovered that he was not the real owner of the house but imposed himself as the landlord and had been collecting rent from the tenants for those years.

Ogbaki was however charged before the Ejigbo Magistrate court for criminal conversion of another person’s property.

He pleaded not guilty while the Presiding Magistrate, Kayode Layeni, granted him bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum as the prosecutor, Mr. G. Simon also held on to the bail condition.

He was remanded in prison custody pending when he would be able to perfect his bail condition.

The matter was adjourned till 28 March, 2018.