The Ebonyi State House of Assembly has passed a new law to rein in scrap metal trading and stop arbitrary rent hikes across the state.
The Ebonyi State Sale of Scraps, House Rent, and Agent Fees Regulation Law 2026 was passed during plenary on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, and took effect immediately. Speaker Moses Odunwa presided over the session at the Assembly Complex on Nkaliki Road.
The law sets out three main areas of regulation.
1. Scrap metal and electrical materials
Buying, selling, possessing, transporting or disposing of metal and electrical scraps without a license is now prohibited. The move targets vandalism of public infrastructure and environmental damage.
Penalty: up to 2 years in prison, a fine of up to ₦500,000, or both.
2. Residential rent
Landlords must now follow standard rent tariffs to be prescribed by Governor Francis Nwifuru for designated housing categories. Charging above the approved rates is not allowed.
Landlords who secure possession orders through fraud, misrepresentation or concealment also face up to 2 years in prison.
3. Estate agency fees
Both professional and non-professional agents can only charge a maximum of 2 per cent of the gross transaction value. All agents operating in the state capital must also register with the Ministry of the Capital City to improve transparency.
House Leader Kingsley Ikoro, while presenting the bill, said it would protect public infrastructure and shield vulnerable tenants from exploitation. The position was backed by 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.
After the clause-by-clause review, Speaker Odunwa said the law was needed to restore order.
“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,” he said.
In other business, the Assembly adopted the Auditor-General’s Report on the state’s Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2025. It also screened and confirmed nine nominees by Governor Nwifuru to serve as Coordinator and Management Committee members for the newly reinstated Amasiri Development Centre in Afikpo LGA.
