The Ebonyi State House of Assembly has enacted legislation to regulate the sale and handling of metal and electrical scraps, residential rents and property agency charges across the state.
The legislation, known as the Ebonyi State Sale of Scraps, House Rent, and Agent Fees Regulation Law 2026, was passed during Tuesday’s plenary presided over by the Speaker, Moses Odunwa, at the Assembly Complex on Nkaliki Road.
The law became effective immediately following its passage on August 11, 2026.
The new legislation seeks to tackle the theft and vandalism of public infrastructure, protect the environment and curb excessive charges and other exploitative practices in the property sector.
Under the law, individuals or businesses are prohibited from buying, selling, possessing, transporting or disposing of metal and electrical scraps without the required licence.
Anyone found guilty of violating the provision could face up to two years in prison, a fine of up to ₦500,000, or both.
The law also empowers the state to enforce prescribed rent tariffs approved by Governor Francis Nwifuru for specified categories of residential properties. Landlords are barred from demanding rents above the approved limits.
It further criminalises the use of fraudulent means, false representation or deliberate concealment of information to secure possession orders, with offenders liable to a maximum of two years’ imprisonment.
In the real estate sector, agency charges have been fixed at two per cent of the gross value of a transaction, covering both registered professionals and non-professional agents.
Estate agents operating within the state capital are also required to register with the Ministry of the Capital City as part of measures to improve regulation, transparency and accountability in the sector.
Leading debate on the bill, the Leader of the House, Kingsley Ikoro, called on lawmakers to support its passage, stressing that the legislation would help protect public assets while providing relief for tenants facing arbitrary charges.
Lawmakers including Victor Nwoke of Abakaliki North, Nwodo Nwodo of Ebonyi North West, Oluchukwu Ukie Ezeali of Afikpo East, Friday Ogbuewu of Ezza South and Celestine Ogba of Onicha East backed the legislation during the debate.
They described the bill as necessary in view of the growing cases of scrap theft and excessive rent demands by some property owners.
After the bill scaled its third reading and was considered clause by clause by the Committee of the Whole, Speaker Odunwa said the law would bring greater control to the scrap trade and property market.
“Scrap dealers have shown a brazen lack of restraint, causing widespread havoc to critical public infrastructure and private property. This law restores sanity to our property market and prioritises overall public safety,” Odunwa said.
Meanwhile, the Assembly also considered and adopted the Auditor-General’s Report on the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Ebonyi State Government for the financial year ended December 31, 2025.
The lawmakers also screened and confirmed nine nominees submitted by Governor Nwifuru as Coordinator and members of the Management Committee of the Amasiri Development Centre in Afikpo Local Government Area.
Their confirmation followed the state government’s formal restoration of the development centre.
