Perturbed by the increasing rate of house rents in Enugu metropolis, the state chapter of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and an Enugu-based non-governmental organization, Temple of Justice Pro-bono Foundation, on behalf of other aggrieved tenants, have dragged the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Edward Ubosi before Justice H. U. Ezugwu of the High Court of Enugu Judicial Division.
The matter which came up for hearing on Wednesday, could not proceed due to the absence of the respondent’s lawyer.
Lawyer to the applicants, Alex Amujiogu, who was present at the court, while decrying the high rate of house rents in the urban areas, disclosed that they were compelled to institute a legal action against the respondent following his failure to legislate on the matter and enact a law to regulate house rents in the state, having formally written to him in the past as the leader of the House.
The applicants in the application with Suit No: E/155M/2021, argued that under Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the lawmakers under the leadership of the first respondent, Ubosi, were empowered to make laws for the purpose of administration of good governance in the state.
They, therefore, sought the relief of the court to issue an order of mandamus to compel the Speaker and the State House of Assembly to enact a law regulating the payment of house rents in the state.
The applicants also urged the court to prohibit the respondents from embarking on any other legislative duties or law making processes until the law for the regulation of house rents in Enugu urban is duly enacted.
They also prayed the court to award cost against the respondents for damages in the sum of N10,000,000 which includes the cost of institution of the suit.
Speaking on the ground for the institution of the suit, Amujiogu said: “We’re worried by the high rate of house rent in Enugu urban. After paying House rent, you will still pay agency fee and lawyer’s fee which has become a burden to residents of this state. Just a small bedroom flat cost between N500,000 to N700,000 coupled with the agency fee. It is too exorbitant for a common man to bear.
“The purpose of all these skyrocketing house rents is because there’s no law checkmating the imposition of rents by landlords.
“Previously, the office of the 1st applicant (APGA) in Enugu state was at No 35 Ogui road, Enugu before later relocating to No 51 Agbani road, Enugu as a result of its inability to cope with the exorbitant rent demand of their two bedroom flat with a rent fee of N600,000.
“While relocating to their present office at Agbani road, the 1st applicant was further made to pay the sum of N600,000 together with an agency fee of N100,000 and lawyer’s fee of N100,000, all totalling N800,000 for only three bedroom flat.
“During the 2nd applicant’s entrance as a tenant in a two bedroom flat at No 12 Akwete Street, New Haven, Enugu, she was notified that its rent was N400,000 with an agency and lawyer’s fees of N200,000.
“All these rent fees and its accusable cost gravely crippled the operational system of the applicants as they can no longer effectively engage in their objectives due to shortage of funds…”
Consequent upon the absence of the respondents and their lawyers, the court ordered the bailiff to serve papers to them through substituted service and subsequently adjourned the matter till July 20 for hearing of the motion.
Other respondents joined in the suit are the State House of Assembly and its clerk.
