A 75-year-old man and four other people have been remanded in Kirikiri Correctional Centre by a Magistrate Court in Oshodi, Lagos, for dumping refuse illegally into a canal.
The suspects — Moses Adelowokan (76, Osun State), Quassim Jamiu (44, Kwara State), Ayo Jamiu (18, Kwara State), Alexander Innocent (40, Akwa Ibom), and Oparinde Taiwo (55, Ogun State) — were caught on Wednesday while offloading waste from a lorry into the canal along the Igando-Iba Road Link Bridge.
They were arrested by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Task Force under the Kick Against Indiscipline initiative and arraigned in court on Thursday.
The court ordered that they be remanded in prison custody until the next hearing, which was fixed for July 9, 2025.
The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, had earlier warned the public against any form of environmental violation ahead of the Eid-al-Adha celebrations.
Speaking after the arrests, Wahab said, “No one will be spared — regardless of age, status, religion, or gender. We will ensure full prosecution to deter others who flout our environmental laws.”
He reminded the public that illegal dumping of waste attracts serious punishment. “Violators face up to three months in prison or a fine of N250,000,” he stated.
Wahab explained that the government has made waste disposal easy and accessible for all residents through the Private Sector Partnership (PSP) operators, who are present in every ward across Lagos.
He urged residents to use these approved waste services instead of dumping refuse in drainages or canals. “Anyone caught will face the full weight of the law,” he added.
