A tenant in Asaba, Delta State, has accused his landlord, a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, of illegally disconnecting his water and electricity supply, causing him severe hardship.
Following this development, the tenant, Kenneth Orusi, formally petitioned the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of “B” Division, Asaba, seeking redress.
In the petition dated March 10, 2025, Orusi alleged that Mr. Ogbogho Sunday deliberately and unlawfully cut off his access to basic utilities without justifiable reason.
The tenant claimed that not only was his water supply disconnected, but the power to his apartment was also cut off without prior notice or authorization from the relevant authorities.
The petition further stated that the switch for the water pump, which was originally accessible to all tenants, was relocated to Mr. Sunday’s private apartment, effectively restricting access to clean water.
He described this action as a gross violation of his rights and an abuse of power by a landlord who should uphold fairness, decency, and the rule of law.
Mr. Orusi, in his petition, called for an immediate investigation into the matter, urging the police to ensure the restoration of his water and electricity supply.
He is also claiming damages for expenses incurred while pursuing redress for the alleged injustice.
The representative of the estate management company responsible for overseeing the property, Outpost Integrity Services Ltd, Prince Amadi, was invited by the police and has provided a statement in response to the allegations.
Contact details for the company and its representative, Prince Amadi, were included in the petition.
The petitioner, Mr. Orusi, is demanding that Mr. Sunday be compelled to return the water pumping system to its original location to prevent future disputes.
He has also called for action against the landlord to deter further occurrences of such acts against tenants.
A stamped acknowledgment from the police indicates that the petition was received and is under investigation.
However, as of the time of reporting, Mr. Sunday has yet to respond to the police invitation.
This incident raises concerns about the abuse of power by landlords and the protection of tenant rights in Asaba.
Legal experts warn that such cases, if left unaddressed, could set a dangerous precedent where tenants suffer undue hardship due to landlords’ arbitrary decisions.
The public now awaits further developments as law enforcement and relevant authorities deliberate on the next course of action.
Will justice be served, or will this be another case of impunity left unchecked? Time will tell.
