Authorities arrested 19 individuals in Lagos for various environmental offences. The Lagos Waste Management Authority apprehended 17 for open urination and defecation in public places.
Additionally, officials caught two others for indiscriminate dumping of refuse. Law enforcement charged all with violating sanitation laws that protect public health.
Court Proceedings
A Magistrate Court in Bolade, Oshodi, handled the cases. The 17 offenders convicted for open urination and defecation each received a N40,000 fine or one month in prison.
Furthermore, Obinna Nzugbe and Ifeanyi Ibe pleaded guilty to refuse dumping. The court sentenced each to five months imprisonment. Another suspect, Daniel Alfred, pleaded not guilty to a similar charge. The judge adjourned his trial to April 3, 2026.
Official Statements
Muyiwa Gbadegesin, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos Waste Management Authority, disclosed the convictions. He stated, “These convictions underscore our commitment to enforcing environmental laws.”
Gbadegesin added that such offences posed serious risks to public health and the environment. He urged residents to comply with regulations and use approved waste disposal methods. Moreover he warned that the authority would continue prosecuting violators to maintain sanitation standards.
Enforcement Efforts
The Lagos Waste Management Authority intensified patrols to curb environmental violations. These actions aimed to reduce health hazards from improper waste handling. In addition, the convictions served as a deterrent to potential offenders in the state.
