Seventeen people were on Wednesday brought before a Magistrate Court sitting in Bolade, Oshodi, for urinating and defecating in public spaces, in what authorities describe as a renewed push to enforce environmental sanitation laws across Lagos.
The arraignment was carried out by the Lagos State Police Command on February 19. According to the state’s Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, the court found all 17 defendants guilty of environmental offences.
Each offender was handed the option of paying a N40,000 fine or serving one month in prison.
Government’s Position
In a statement shared on X, Wahab stressed that open urination and defecation are not minor infractions but serious public health risks. He noted that such acts contribute to environmental degradation, spread of disease, and undermine public decency.
“Let this serve as a clear reminder that open urination and defecation are environmental offences and serious public health risks,” he stated, adding that the state government will continue to strictly enforce sanitation regulations to safeguard public health and maintain order.
Renewed Sanitation Drive
The enforcement action is part of ongoing efforts by Lagos authorities to improve environmental hygiene, particularly in densely populated commercial hubs like Oshodi, where pedestrian and vehicular traffic is high.
Residents were urged to make use of designated public sanitation facilities and comply with environmental laws. The commissioner emphasized that maintaining a clean city requires collective responsibility.
The convictions signal a continued zero-tolerance approach to environmental violations as the state intensifies its sanitation campaign.
Source: Africa Publicity
