Lagos Tenant Arraigned for Allegedly Altering Rented Apartment Without Landlord’s Consent
A Lagos Magistrates’ Court has arraigned a 34-year-old tenant, Henry Chijioke Chukwuma, over allegations that he carried out unauthorized structural alterations to a rented apartment in the Ajah area of Lagos without first obtaining approval from the property owner.
The case follows a complaint filed by the landlord, Moses Okeoma, who accused the tenant of making major changes to the property located at Vintage Estate, Ajah.
Police Allege Tenant Modified Apartment Structure
According to the police, Chukwuma allegedly rented the apartment before proceeding to make significant structural changes to the building.
Investigators claimed the tenant partitioned parts of the apartment, relocated the entrance to the bathroom, and damaged sections of the wall without informing or receiving permission from the landlord.
Police further alleged that the alterations violated existing building regulations and amounted to unauthorized modifications of the property.
Investigation Ordered After Landlord’s Petition
The matter was reported to the Zone 2 Police Command after the landlord submitted a formal petition over the alleged alterations.
Following the complaint, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, AIG Olohundare Jimoh, reportedly directed detectives to investigate the allegations and ensure the dispute did not escalate into a breach of public peace.
After completing their investigation, officers led by Inspector Odijile Eghonghon filed a one-count charge against the defendant at the Igbosere Magistrates’ Court.
Prosecutor Says Landlord’s Approval Was Required
During the court proceedings, prosecuting counsel Superintendent of Police Reuben Solomon argued that the defendant was expected to obtain the landlord’s consent before carrying out any structural modifications to the apartment.
The prosecutor told the court that Chukwuma had accepted the apartment in its original condition when he moved in, making it necessary to seek approval before making permanent changes to the property.
He further argued that the alleged alterations breached Lagos State building regulations and constituted an offence punishable under Section 337 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Defendant Pleads Not Guilty
Chukwuma pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read before the court.
Following his plea, Magistrate T.O. Abayomi granted him bail in the sum of ₦100,000, with two sureties in like amount.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter until August 14, 2026, for further proceedings.
What the Case Means for Tenants
The case highlights the legal importance of obtaining a landlord’s approval before carrying out structural changes to rented properties. While tenants may renovate or improve living spaces in certain circumstances, permanent alterations that affect the building’s structure can lead to legal disputes if carried out without proper authorization.
As proceedings continue, the court is expected to determine whether the alleged modifications amounted to a criminal offence under Lagos State law.
