- Seventeen residents were convicted by the authorities for engaging in open defecation and urination in public spaces within Lagos Waste Management Authority’s jurisdiction
- Each defendant was fined ₦40,000, with an alternative of one month’s imprisonment if they failed to pay the penalty
- Citizens were urged to take responsibility for maintaining cleanliness and supporting efforts to keep public spaces hygienic
Seventeen residents have been convicted and fined ₦40,000 each by a Lagos Magistrate Court for engaging in open defecation and urination in public spaces.
The Lagos State Government made the disclosure on its verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Saturday, February 21, stating that the offenders were apprehended by officials of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA).
According to the statement, the individuals were arraigned before the Magistrate Court sitting at Bolade, Oshodi, where the court handed down its ruling.
“Seventeen (17) environmental offenders apprehended by Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) were arraigned before the Magistrate Court sitting at Bolade, Oshodi, for urinating and defecating in open spaces.
“The defendants were convicted and sentenced to a fine of ₦40,000 each or one (1) month imprisonment,” the statement read.
The state government condemned the acts, describing them as degrading to public spaces and harmful to the city’s image.
“These acts have never been acceptable, as they degrade public spaces and deface our megacity.
“The government remains resolute and will continue to clamp down on defaulters to ensure a cleaner, healthier Lagos for all.”
Authorities reiterated their commitment to strict enforcement of environmental sanitation laws, stressing that keeping Lagos clean is a collective responsibility.
Residents were also urged to stay vigilant and take ownership of their surroundings to help maintain a cleaner and healthier environment.