In a clear demonstration of its zero tolerance for indiscriminate refuse dumping, the Lagos State Government has dragged five persons before a Magistrate’s Court sitting in Oshodi for dumping refuse in canal.
The accused persons were arrested for dumping refuse in the canal along Igando-Iba road Link Bridge on Thursday.
They were identified as Quassim Jamiu, aged 44, from Kwara State, Ayo Jamiu, 18, from Kwara State, Alexander Innocent, 40, from Akwa Ibom State, Oparinde Taiwo, 55, from Ogun State and Moses Adelowokan, 76 years old, from Osun State.
The state government explained that the men who were apprehended by a team from KAI and security men had conveyed the waste in a lorry and were in the process of dumping it into the canal when security men swooped on them.
In a statement on Saturday, the government stated that these latest arrests are coming less than 48 hours after the it read the riot act to all those who engage in disobeying provisions of the State Environmental laws, stating that if caught, they will face prosecution.
Speaking on the arrest, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab reiterated the resolve of the state government to come down hard on all those who engage in indiscriminate dumping of refuse.
He said the state government would ensure diligent prosecution of all the arrested people to serve as a deterrent to all those with similar intentions.
He reminded all those with similar intentions to be wary because they risk three months’ imprisonment and a fine of N250,000.
He said that the state has provided PSP waste operators across all the wards in Lagos State to evacuate waste from all homes and neighbourhoods in the state for a fee.
Meanwhile, the Magistrate’s Court remanded in Kirikiri Correctional Centre and adjourned the matter till July 9 for hearing.