A tenant, Peter Jolomi, has accused his landlord, Richard Ayitu, of denying him access to his property on New Bakery, off Adeba Road, Lekki-Epe Expressway in the Ibeju Lekki area of Lagos State.

Jolomi, in an interview with newsmen, alleged that his property was thrown out and left on the street of the estate for several days by Ayitu, who accused him of owing rent.

The tenant said he later discovered that his property had been moved away when visited for a routine check last week.

He claimed that all attempts to settle the matter with his landlord were rejected.

Jolomi, a pastor, said, “After packing my belongings outside, the landlord ordered the gate to be locked. He claimed I owed him money and demanded payment that day. He threatened to throw out my things and leave me on the street until I paid.

“I pleaded with him but he refused. I had paid him N200,000 out of the claimed N312,000 but he refused to accept that. I sent my brother to his Catholic church to ask the Reverend Father to speak to him, but we didn’t meet him. This was on Tuesday, December 24, 2024.”

He also alleged that the landlord had repeatedly harassed him by involving the police.

But Ayitu denied the claims, saying they were untrue.

The landlord said Jolomi owed him and wouldn’t leave until the debt was settled.

Ayitu said, “When his rent expired and he owed about four months, I told him to pay and leave. But he refused, claiming that when he wanted to leave earlier, I didn’t allow him to. I reported him to the police. There was a plan to charge him to court, and his case file was ready, but he pleaded.

“He owed me N538,000, but he only paid N200,000. He then sent me a message asking me to let him go, claiming he didn’t have the money. When he was leaving with his property, I asked him to pay the outstanding balance. He said he didn’t have any money. I also suggested that we go to the station to sign an agreement for him to pay me.

“The police came to pick up some valuable items but left the chair because it was in a deplorable condition. The police told him that whenever he’s ready, he should come and claim his property.”

Efforts to reach the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, proved abortive.

He did not pick up our correspondent’s call and was yet to reply to the text message sent to his line as of the time of filing this report.

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