Court orders Obasanjo-Bello to grant access to tenant

A Lagos High Court in Igbosere on Thursday ordered Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello to allow her tenant at M10, Road 2, Victoria Garden City, Lekki, Lagos, to remove his property from her premises. Justice Adesuyi Olateru-Olagbeji gave the order at the resumed hearing of the case filed by Mr. Martin Abhulimhen against Obasanjo-Bello. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Abhulimhen is seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendant from evicting him without recourse to the due process of law. He is also seeking a declaration that the attempt by Obasanjo-Bello to forcefully evict him from the property was illegal, unlawful, null and void. The claimant is also praying the court to award him the sum of N200m as damages for trespass on his quiet enjoyment of the property. In his affidavit, Abhulimhen alleged that he entered into a tenancy relationship with the defendant for a period of two years at an agreed sum of N5m. He also alleged that after payment, he and his family had quiet enjoyment of the apartment without any disturbance from the defendant. According to him, he departed the premises with his family to pursue a doctorate degree programme in the United Kingdom, leaving his sister, Faith Ajayi, in occupation of the apartment. “It came as a shock to me when in March 2010, I was informed by my sister that the defendant stormed the premises with armed mobile police officers who forcefully broke into the apartment,’’ he said. Abhulimhen also stated that while his tenancy had not expired, the defendant stationed armed mobile policemen at the gate, with an instruction to bar him and his family members from entering the premises. NAN reports that Obasanjo-Bello is yet to file a defence despite being served with the court processes. Justice Olateru-Olagbeji adjourned the case till July 4 for trial. By Agency Reporter Courtesy Of: Punch