By SALAMAT ABU

The Kogi House of Assembly has commenced the process of reforming the state’s tenancy laws, with a bill seeking to protect tenants from arbitrary rent hikes and unlawful evictions.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the house held public hearing on the bill on Wednesday at the Assembly chambers in Lokoja

The bill seeks to repeal the Rent Control and Recovery of Residential Premises Law 2007, and replace it with the Kogi State Tenancy Law, 2026.

The bill is being sponsored by the lawmaker, representing Ankpa I State Constituency, Mr Lawal Akus.

Akus said that the bill was coming against the backdrop of widespread complaints over escalating rents and excessive agency charges.

He said the bill was designed to establish a fair, transparent and balanced legal framework governing relationship among landlords, tenants and property agents.

“It will address arbitrary rent increase, unlawful evictions, excessive agency charges, tenancy disputes, abuses by landlords and tenants, and delays in justice delivery,” he said.

According to Akus, while landlords deserve reasonable returns on investments, tenants also deserve protection from exploitation.

He said the legislation would define rights and obligations, regulate tenancy agreements, prohibit unlawful evictions and strengthen dispute resolution mechanisms.

He assured stakeholders that all the memoranda and recommendations submitted during the hearing would receive legislative consideration before the bill’s passage.

Presenting his memorandum, Jibril Abu described the bill as timely, saying it reflected prevailing economic realities and balanced landlords’ and tenants’ interests.

Abu argued that rent increase should be tied to improvements in housing conditions and landlords’ compliance with statutory obligations, including payment of ground rent.

He also said that the legislation would promote fairness, reduce exploitation, improve security and strengthen public confidence in the housing sector.

The Acting Assistant Director of Legal Drafting, Kogi Ministry of Justice, Olowolaiyemo Ehitayo, proposed amendments to strengthen the bill.

Ehitayo recommended expanding the definition of accommodation and transferring chairmanship of the proposed board to the Directorate of Citizens’ Rights.

The Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Taiye Abanika, described the bill as a timely response to rising house rents across the state.

He, however, faulted the composition of the proposed Rent Control and Tenancy Board, saying the Ministry of Housing was unfairly excluded.

Abanika advocated that only the governor should have constitutional authority to appoint and reconstitute members of the proposed board.

Speaking for the Magistrates’ Association of Nigeria, Kogi Chapter, Chief Magistrate II, Ibrahim Eleson, urged the lawmakers to review the provisions that could conflict with the Constitution.

Eleson opposed granting the proposed task force powers to seal properties without court orders or making the board a mandatory channel before court action.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Kogi Branch, John Eniwaiye, urged the lawmakers to balance tenant protection with safeguarding legitimate property investments.

Eniwaiye said the Assembly had an opportunity to enact a tenancy law that promotes fairness, transparency and stability in the state’s housing sector.

Stakeholders agreed that although the bill required further modification, its passage would improve landlord-tenant relations, reduce housing disputes and promote a more equitable tenancy system.

The House Committee assured the participants that all the submissions would be reviewed before the bill would proceed to the next stage of legislative consideration. (NAN)