17 arraigned, sentenced for open defecation, urination in Oshodi, Lagos
17 Offenders Charged in Lagos for Public Urination and Defecation
The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has brought 17 individuals before the Magistrate Court in Bolade, Oshodi, facing charges for urinating and defecating in public spaces.
The offenders were apprehended by LAWMA officials and subsequently charged with violations of environmental sanitation laws. The court proceedings concluded with each defendant found guilty.
In a statement, Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for Water Resources and Environment, announced that the court issued a sentence requiring each offender to serve one month in prison or pay a fine of ₦40,000.
“Today, 17 environmental offenders apprehended by LAWMA operatives were arraigned before the Magistrate Court sitting at Bolade, Oshodi, for urinating and defecating in public places,” Wahab said.
The prosecution described the offenders’ actions as environmental hazards that pose significant risks to public health. Wahab indicated that the ruling aims to deter residents from continuing such practices.
He emphasized, “Open urination and defecation are environmental offenses and serious public health risks,” and affirmed that Lagos State will rigorously enforce sanitation laws to safeguard public health and maintain community order.
LAWMA also encouraged residents to utilize available public sanitation facilities and adhere to environmental regulations. “Cleanliness is a shared responsibility,” the agency stated, reaffirming its commitment to ongoing enforcement and public awareness campaigns to keep Lagos clean and healthy.
