Lagos Court Sentences Arsenal Fan, 16 Others To 17 Months’ Imprisonment For Open Defecation
17 Convicted for Open Defecation, Public Urination in Lagos
A Mobile Court in Lagos State has convicted an Arsenal Football Club fan and 16 others for engaging in open defecation and public urination, violating the state’s environmental laws. The details were released in a statement by Tokunbo Wahab, the Lagos State Commissioner for the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.
According to the statement shared on the social media platform X, the court session took place in the Bolade-Oshodi area. The defendants, including one wearing an Arsenal jersey, were sentenced to one month in prison or a fine of 40,000 naira.
The statement read, “Today, 17 environmental offenders apprehended by @Lawma_gov operatives were arraigned before the Magistrate Court sitting at Bolade, Oshodi, for urinating and defecating in public places.”
The court found the defendants guilty and imposed the penalties accordingly.
Commissioner Wahab emphasized the serious nature of open urination and defecation, highlighting their potential public health risks. He stated, “Let this serve as a clear reminder that open urination and defecation are environmental offences and serious public health risks. Lagos State will continue to enforce sanitation laws firmly to protect public health, preserve human dignity, and maintain order in our communities.”
Wahab urged residents to utilize available public sanitation facilities and adhere to environmental regulations, noting, “Cleanliness is a shared responsibility.”
