Police Arrest Ghanaian Landlord For De-roofing Tenant’s Apartment In Rivers

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested a Ghanaian national, Samuel Frimpong, for allegedly removing the roof of his tenant’s apartment in Mgbuoba, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the State.

The suspect was accused of de-roofing the residence of his tenant, Anozie Tochukwu, located at No. 7, Chief Chike Street, following a disagreement over his failure to vacate the apartment after the expiration of a two-week grace period.

It was gathered that the landlord resorted to the action after reportedly asking the tenant not to renew his rent due to planned renovations of the property.

Narrating his ordeal, Tochukwu said he moved into the house in January 2024 and had consistently paid his rent.

The tenant stated that the landlord served him a notice late last year, informing him of plans to renovate the apartment and directing him not to renew his tenancy, which expired in January 2026.

He said he subsequently secured a new apartment and pleaded for 14 days to relocate.

“On February 1, 2026, I showed him evidence of payment for a new apartment and asked for two weeks to move out,” Tochukwu said.

“But to my greatest surprise, at about 8:02 a.m. on February 3, my wife called to inform me that the landlord had removed the roof of our apartment. A few hours later, heavy rain started and all my properties, documents and certificates were exposed.

“My pregnant wife and my two children, aged two and three, were also exposed to the rain.”

The distraught tenant claimed that property worth about N25 million was destroyed in the incident, including household appliances, furniture, documents and personal belongings.

He listed items allegedly damaged or missing to include a television set, deep freezer, chandelier, furniture, certificates, books, clothes, foodstuffs, medications, footwear and a savings box containing several months of savings.

Police sources said detectives from the Ozuoba Division arrested the landlord on Wednesday after the matter was reported.

Confirming the arrest, the State’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, said the suspect was in custody and investigations were ongoing.

“Yes, I can confirm. The landlord has been arrested and is with the police. Investigation is ongoing and he may be arraigned after the investigation,” the Police spokesperson said.