A tenant identified as Raheem Olabanji has sued his landlord, Johnny Rowuru, before the Yaba Magistrate’s Court over his refusal to refund the rent and commission received for office space in the Lekki area of Lagos State.
According to The Punch, Olabanji, the complainant filed a letter of demand against him demanding a total refund of N740,000 for not fixing basic amenities in the office space.
According to the directive of the landlord, Olabanji’s counsel, Olusola Okuwobi, said his client paid N600,000 to the landlord and N140,000 to the agent
Olabanji decided to vacate the property after four months, following the landlord’s hesitation to fix the basic amenities.
However, in his defence, during an examination-in-chief, Rowuru, led by his counsel, Bright Obaduemu, disclosed that the sum of N500,000 was paid to Olabanji after he decided to terminate the tenancy agreement after four months.
He said, “After four months, he said he didn’t want the place anymore and I should refund his money. I said I would deduct the amount equivalent to the months he had spent using the shop. He disagreed and took the matter to the police at Ajah.
“I wasn’t around, so I sent my lawyer to represent me. My lawyer told me that they had resolved the matter and asked me to refund N500,000. The account details were forwarded to me and I paid the sum of N500,000 as instructed. Initially, he said he didn’t receive the money but later on, he said he received N450,000. But my account statement showed that I sent N500,000.”
