Protests Rock Enugu Over High Rent and Agency Fees

By Ugbede James

Enugu state was shaken on Thursday as protests erupted over the soaring cost of rent and agency fees.

The protest led by Comrade Kindness Jonah of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), the protesters marched through several streets, decrying the high rent prices that are suffocating tenants in the metropolis.

Carrying placards with messages such as “High rent in Enugu, no lawyer fee,” “High rent in Enugu, no agency fee,” and “Stop legal fee, management and caution fee,” the protestors called on the government to intervene and alleviate their plight.

In a statement made available to journalists after the protest, Comrade Kindness Jonah highlighted the severe impact of rent hikes in Enugu, which he said are becoming unaffordable for the common man.

He pointed out that tenants, in addition to paying exorbitant rent, are burdened with extra fees amounting to N500,000 for lawyer’s fees, agent fees, management fees, and caution fees before they can occupy an apartment.

“By this demonstration today, we are saying that rents in Enugu are too high due to lawyers’ fees and agency fees,” Jonah declared. He argued that landlords do not need to hire agencies or lawyers and should instead draft agreements in plain English, purchase a seal from the high court, and make direct arrangements with tenants, as was customary in the past.

Jonah criticized the current system where landlords, irrespective of the necessity, impose additional charges for lawyer and agent fees. He called on the governor to take action. “The governor must intervene because this is too much. The House of Assembly should sit up and enact a law to reduce the rent increase,” he urged.