ASABA — A serious case of alleged abuse of power, fraud, and utility mismanagement has erupted at a residential building located at 24 Ezeh Akporube Street, Off Okpanam Road, Asaba, where a tenant is accusing the caretaker of illegal actions and financial misconduct.
The tenant, Comrade Orusi Joseph, who is also a known human rights advocate and Coordinator of the Committee for the Defense of Human Rights (CDHR) in Asaba, raised the alarm in a petition addressed to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of GRA Police Station dated July 17, 2025.
In his petition, Joseph accused Mr. Paul Ebi Osemekeh, the caretaker of the property and Commander of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Oshimili South Local Government Area, of illegally disconnecting his water supply and embezzling electricity bill payments made by tenants over several years.
What Happened?
Joseph claims that Mr. Osemekeh disconnected the water supply to his bathroom without any warning or legal backing, leaving only the kitchen tap connected — a tap that he says cannot meet the needs of the household.
“This disconnection was done without a court order and without informing me. For three years, I’ve complained about water leaking or disappearing quickly from the tank, but nothing was done,” Joseph wrote.
But it doesn’t stop at water issues.
Alleged Electricity Fraud
Joseph also accused the caretaker of running an electricity billing scam. He claimed that Mr. Osemekeh told tenants that the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) had increased monthly power charges from ₦25,000 to ₦45,000, but when Joseph personally visited BEDC’s office in Asaba, he was told that monthly bills were actually between ₦6,500 and ₦12,500.
Despite this, the caretaker allegedly collected ₦6,000 per tenant and failed to pay BEDC for several months. According to Joseph, electricity meters 0000787142 and 0000787143 had outstanding bills because money collected from tenants was not remitted.
In 2022, BEDC disconnected the building due to unpaid bills. The caretaker then asked tenants to contribute ₦200,000 for reconnection. Joseph, who had already paid for six months of electricity in advance, was furious and took the issue to BEDC, demanding the building be reconnected without further charges.
BEDC later confirmed that the disconnection was caused by six to seven months of unpaid bills, not by BEDC raising the price as claimed by the caretaker. After discussions, the reconnection fee was reduced to ₦100,000, which tenants — including Joseph — had to pay.
More Complaints from the Tenant
In addition to utility issues, Joseph said the building’s main gate was changed and left unfloored, making it impossible for him to drive into the compound for two months. Even after donating a bag of cement to help fix the problem, the job was poorly done, damaging his car in the process.
He also accused the caretaker of:
- Unlawfully increasing the rent without informing the landlord.
- Acting arrogantly and aggressively whenever he was confronted.
- Causing mental stress, inconvenience, and financial losses to him and his family.
Joseph’s Demands
In his petition to the police, Joseph is asking for:
- Immediate reconnection of water supply to his apartment.
- Proper repair of the building’s entrance gate flooring.
- A refund of ₦100,000 he paid during the 2022 electricity reconnection.
- A full investigation into missing electricity payments, which he estimates to be over ₦360,000.
He also warned that any further harassment or intimidation from the caretaker or his associates should be taken seriously by law enforcement to avoid escalation.
What Did the Caretaker Say?
When contacted by a journalist, Mr. Paul Ebi Osemekeh declined to comment, saying:
“I’m not ready to speak on this matter because it is currently being handled by the police. If you need more information, come to the GRA Police Station in Asaba by 12 noon tomorrow.”
He added:
“Joseph Orusi is free to go to court if he’s not satisfied with the police process.”
He then ended the call.
Efforts to contact Mr. Benjamin Nawokobia, the landlord who was said to have approved some of the caretaker’s actions, were unsuccessful.
Why This Matters
This incident has raised new concerns about unregulated behavior by caretakers in Nigeria’s housing system. Tenants are calling for better protection, transparency, and accountability in landlord-tenant relationships, especially when caretakers are left with too much unchecked authority.
For young people and students who may soon rent houses for school or work, this story is a reminder to always:
- Keep proper payment records.
- Know your rights as a tenant.
- Report any suspicious or abusive behavior.
