Ghanaian Landlord Arrested in Nigeria After De-roofing Tenant's Apartment Amid N25 Million Property Damage

Police in Nigeria's Rivers State have arrested a Ghanaian national, Frimpong Samuel, for allegedly removing the roof of a tenant's apartment following a heated dispute over rent and eviction. The incident occurred at a property located on Chief Chike Street, NTA Road in Mgbuoba, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. The arrest followed a formal complaint by the tenant, Anozie Tochukwu, who reported that the landlord took the drastic action to force him out of the premises, leading to the total exposure of his living quarters to the elements.

The conflict reportedly escalated after Tochukwu’s lease expired and he failed to vacate the property immediately. According to the tenant, who had resided in the apartment since January 2024, he had requested a short 14-day extension to finalize his relocation by mid-February 2026. However, Samuel allegedly ignored the request and proceeded to de-roof the building on February 3, 2026. The situation turned disastrous shortly after the roof was removed when a heavy rainstorm struck the area, flooding the apartment and destroying the tenant's belongings.

Tochukwu estimates the total damage to his property at approximately N25 million, citing the loss of high-value household items, electronics, and vital personal documents that were soaked during the storm. The victim lamented that the landlord’s refusal to follow legal eviction procedures resulted in the near-total loss of his assets. The incident has drawn significant attention to the often-volatile relationship between landlords and tenants in the region and the illegal use of 'self-help' measures to settle tenancy disputes.

Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the arrest and stated that Frimpong Samuel is currently in custody. She emphasized that the suspect will face court proceedings once the police complete their investigation into the matter. Authorities have reiterated that de-roofing an occupied apartment is a criminal offense and have urged landlords to seek redress through the appropriate legal channels and the court system rather than resorting to harassment or property destruction.