An Upper Area Court in Ilorin, Kwara State, has permitted a landlord, Mr. Bakinde AbdulWaheed, to force open and replace the locks on his tenant’s apartment door after he allegedly ‘disappeared’ for three years.
The presiding Judge, Mr. Moshood Ajibade, gave the order on Thursday after AbdulWaheed reported that his tenant ‘disappeared’ for three years without any word from him.
Ajibade ordered that the two apartments should be forced open in the presence of the landlord, the court orderly and staff of the court.
He further ordered that an inventory of the property found in the apartments should be taken, and all witnesses made to sign.
The judge also held that only the valuable goods should be taken to the court premises and kept for a period of time as stipulated by the law.
He explained that after the given time, the property would be sold and part of the money realised would be used to pay for the three years’ rent.
Abdul Waheed had earlier told the court that all efforts to locate the tenant, Mr. Akin Ola, failed.
“I visited the man who introduced the tenant to me. He too does not know the whereabouts of Ola.
“He is owing me three years rent of N108, 000. We agreed that he will pay N36, 000 annually.
“I want to rent out the apartment. I’ve had offers from people seeking to occupy the space,” he said.