The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on the leadership of the National Assembly and members representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to initiate legislation establishing an independent FCT Landlords and Tenants Tribunal.
   
According to the group, the proposed tribunal should have statutory powers to mediate disputes, regulate arbitrary rent increases, discourage exploitative practices, protect landlords from defaulting tenants, ensure due process before eviction, and promote transparency in landlord-tenant relations.
   
In a statement, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, said the call became necessary following what he described as widespread exploitation in Abuja’s housing sector, where landlords allegedly impose excessive and arbitrary rent increases without regard for the tenants’ economic realities.
   
He lamented that nearly 27 years after the return to democratic rule, the National Assembly had yet to enact a comprehensive legal framework governing landlord-tenant relationships in the FCT, thereby leaving millions of residents vulnerable to exploitation.
   
Onwubiko said Abuja had become one of Africa’s most expensive cities for accommodation, not because of superior infrastructure but due to the absence of effective regulation.
   
Citing HURIWA’s experience, he alleged that the landlord of its national headquarters increased the annual rent for its one-room office from N1 million to N3 million without prior consultation or improvements to the property.
  
“This is not negotiation; it is exploitation. If a nationally recognised civil society organisation can be treated this way, ordinary workers, pensioners, artisans and students are even more vulnerable,” he said.
   
HURIWA further alleged that many landlords now impose rent increases of between 50 and 200 per cent while tenants continue to endure poor maintenance, inadequate water supply, erratic electricity and deteriorating infrastructure.
   
Warning that the situation was forcing many families out of their homes, driving young professionals to distant suburbs and increasing the financial burden on businesses and workers, it described the housing crisis as a major human rights issue that is worsening poverty, homelessness and inequality, and creating conditions that could fuel social unrest.
   
HURIWA also called for the establishment of an independent landlords-tenants ombudsman to investigate complaints, resolve disputes through mediation and reduce unnecessary litigation.
   
In addition, it urged the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to convene an emergency stakeholder summit involving tenants’ associations, estate surveyors, consumer protection agencies, civil society organisations and landlords to develop lasting solutions to Abuja’s housing challenges.
   
The group maintained that access to decent housing is a fundamental right and vowed to continue advocating for a fair and enforceable legal framework that protects both landlords and tenants.Police probe alleged abduction, extortion by tactical squad officers in Lagos