Branded a ‘racist’ and an ‘Islamophobe,’ small landlord John Alabi is a hard-working legal immigrant from Nigeria, a Christian immigrant, who came to Canada to live the Canadian dream. He worked hard, held two jobs, and made a nice life for himself and his family. He even became a bit of an entrepreneur, purchasing a property, then renting it out to Muslims…much to his regret.

Virtually branded a racist, small landlord John Alabi loses at every turn.

The Divisional Court has just refused to overturn the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario decision ordering him to pay an astounding $12,000 for violating the religious rights of his Muslim tenants.

Despite his denials, the tribunal found he harassed the couple by not removing his shoes and failing to accommodate their prayer times when trying to arrange showings for prospective tenants.

Now he’s not only on the hook for the original $12,000 award but because he lost at Divisional Court, the Nigerian-born small landlord must pay their side’s $5,000 in legal costs as well.

Fighting back tears in the halls of Osgoode, Alabi was trying to remain philosophical.

“I lost my son, I lost my family of 25 years. What more? I’m still alive.” he shrugged.

“It’s not as bad as losing a son, believe me.”