A Ghanaian landlord has been taken into police custody in Rivers State after allegedly dismantling the roof of his tenant’s apartment in a dispute over eviction, an incident that has sparked public outrage and raised serious legal and human rights concerns.
The Rivers State Police Command confirmed the arrest of Mr Samuel Frimpong, a Ghanaian national, for allegedly de-roofing a residential apartment in Mgbuoba, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. The affected tenant, Mr Anozie Tochukwu, lives at No. 7 Chief Chike Street.
Police sources said the incident was reported to the Ozuoba Police Division, prompting detectives to move in and arrest the suspect on Wednesday, February 3, 2026.
According to information gathered, Tochukwu moved into the apartment in January 2024 and had consistently paid his rent. Trouble reportedly began toward the end of 2025, when Frimpong issued him a notice stating that the apartment would be renovated and instructing him not to renew his lease, which was due to expire in January 2026.
Explaining what happened next, Tochukwu said he pleaded for more time to relocate after securing a new apartment.
“On the first of February 2026, I showed him the transaction payment that I made for a new apartment and pleaded for 14 days, which will elapse on the 14th of February, to relocate,
“ Tochukwu said.
However, events took a dramatic turn just two days later.
“But to my greatest surprise, at about 8:02 AM, on February 3, 2026, my wife called to inform me that the landlord (Mr Frimpong) had de-roofed my apartment. A few hours later, it started raining heavily, and all my property, documents, and certificates were exposed to the rain. My pregnant wife and my two kids, two years old and three years old respectively, were exposed to,” he lamented.
The tenant alleged that the incident caused extensive damage and losses running into millions of naira.
“Currently, all my properties worth 25 Million Naira got damaged inclusive of 43 inches Maxi television, a deep freezer, chandelier, set of chairs, NYSC certificate, my degree certificate, my professional certifications, books, clothes, foodstuff, 4×6 foam and bed frame, baby medications, pregnancy medications, my wife’s certificates, children birth certificate, my shoes, children shoes and wife shoes, and my saving box of close to nine months of saving is missing. My ceiling fan is missing,” Tochukwu said.
Confirming the arrest, the spokesperson of the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said the suspect remains in custody as investigations continue.
“Yes, I can confirm. The landlord has been arrested. He is with us; the investigation is ongoing. He may be arraigned after the investigation,” Iringe-Koko, a Chief Superintendent of Police, said.
The incident has also drawn reactions from human rights advocates. Mr Raymond Okocha, a legal practitioner with Lawyers Watch for Justice International Initiative, condemned the landlord’s actions, describing them as unlawful and dangerous.
“Under the Nigerian law, ‘self-help’ is alien. You cannot evict a tenant by destroying the property. To evict a human being, you must follow due process through our courts,
“ he said.
“By removing that roof, the landlord has not only breached the Recovery of Premises Law but also committed a flagrant violation of the family’s fundamental right to dignity.
This is a clear case of malicious damage and psychological abuse. We are calling for immediate justice. We want the law to take its full course. Justice for Mr Tochukwu is justice for all of us,” Okocha added.
Police authorities say investigations are ongoing and further action will be taken in line with the law.
