COURT CONVICTS 10 ENVIRONMENTAL OFFENDERS

Ten environmental offenders have been fined various sums of money, by Magistrate Daniel Njokwu of Lagos State Magistrate’s Court, Oshodi, upon their conviction for environmental offences.

They were picked up at various locations within the last 24 hours by LAWMA’s enforcement team, indulging in reckless waste dumping. Those convicted included: Aminu Kanjau, Sunday Jesuseye, Mrs. Ojo, Ohamara Chidinma, Tawa Yusuf, Ojebunmi Mohammed, Abdulahi Mohammed Lawal, Segun Alaoye, Chinecherem Nkwako, and Gafar Ajose.

The charge sheet reads, “In the special offences (Mobile) court of Lagos State in the Ikeja Magistrate District, holden at Oshodi, that you the above-named persons on the 16th October, 2023, at about 9pm -7am along Surulere, Ikeja, Lagos Island in the Magisterial District did improperly disposed refuse and hereby committed an offence punishable under item 1 first schedule of the Environmental Management Protection Laws of Lagos State 2017”.

The Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said that the era of people treating the environment with disdain was over, as the Authority would go hard on individuals and entities that flouted environmental laws of the state.

He said, “I want to assure Lagosians that LAWMA is totally committed to establishing proper waste management culture across the metropolis. The Authority will not condone acts of indiscriminate waste dumping, capable of putting the health of residents at risk, and eroding efforts made for a sustainable environment.”

Gbadegesin disclosed that the enforcement team of LAWMA has been strategically positioned to work round the metropolis, apprehending those who would want to hide under the cover of darkness, to dump waste at unauthorised locations, adding that the agency was also collaborating with sister agencies like the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), in its determined enforcement drive.

He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to making the cityscape sustainably clean, urging residents to support the Authority’s efforts, by shunning indiscriminate waste disposal, patronising assigned PSP operators, and paying their waste bills promptly.

For complaints and inquiries on waste management issues in your area, please call LAWMA toll-free numbers: 07080601020 and 617.