No less than 10,000 landlords nationwide are to access free legal services in disputes with tenants. In a partnership between the Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC), and Shelta Panacea Limited, a PropTech company, at least 10,000 landlords would be provided pro bono representation in settlement of legal disputes as part of efforts to improve access to justice and promote affordable housing.

Chief Executive Officer of PPDC, Lucy Abagi, said: “PPDC has always been committed to ensuring access to justice for all, particularly for vulnerable and marginalised groups. This collaboration with Shelta Panacea allows us to extend our expertise beyond the criminal justice space to civil disputes.”

The partnership was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), and targets both the demand and supply sides of public service delivery for increased compliance, landlord-tenant relationships, reduced disputes, and enhanced property.

The PPDC’s Access to Justice Programme, which has previously offered pro bono legal services to over 9,000 Nigerians, would utilise technological innovations and a network of lawyers to support the initiative. 

CEO, Shalta Panacea Austine Igwe, said: “Shelta is not coming in to provide free legal services to landlords at the detriment of the tenants, but to solve the problems between the landlord and the tenant.”

According to him, the firm aims to bridge the legal gap between landlords and tenants in Nigeria, ensuring landlords receive necessary legal support, while promoting fair dispute resolution.