Edith CHUKU
A landlord whose name was given simply as Mr Kenneth, has denied allegations of burglary and theft made against him by his tenant, Mr Ikechukwu Ogbonnaya, in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
Ogbonnaya, residing close to Rivers State University main gate, accused his landlord of breaking into his apartment and stealing money he tied in a black polythene meant for his travel expenses.
He explained that the landlord’s alleged actions on Tuesday, was following the expiration of his rent on March 31. “My rent expired 31st March. I am even looking for house seriously.
“I was still asleep this morning, the next thing I heard was a loud bang on the door that demarcates my room and another vacant room. When I looked, it was my landlord, he jumped inside my house, even the money I kept in a black polythene that I want to use and travel I did not see it again.”
Ogbonnaya noted that, “I ran out to Police station because I had already made entry there. I am calling for justice if it is right for my landlord to break my door.”
When contacted, the landlord dismissed the claims, insisting he neither broke into the apartment nor stole any money. Rather, Kenneth said his tenant broke the door himself and still went to the police to accuse him.
He said if Ogbonnaya had such amount of money as claimed, he should have relocated long before now.
“His rent expired on 31st March, 2026 because he did not want to pack out, he broke the door and called Police.
“How can I break the door in my building. I didn’t break any door, I did not steal any money. If he has that amount of money as claimed, why has he not looked for house and pack out?.”
Meanwhile, the Nkpolu Divisional Police Headquarters at Mile 3 Diobu, Port Harcourt, has invited Kenneth.
The invitation via phone call followed failed attempt by the Police officers to arrest him when they went to his house.
Personnel from the Nkpolu Police Division visited the scene to conduct preliminary investigation, where they charged family members of the landlord to inform him of their invitation to the station.
