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A 53-year-old Lagos resident, Nelly Monday, has been sentenced to one month in prison for dumping refuse into a drainage channel in the Meiran area of the state.
The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) confirmed the conviction in a statemrn5 on Thursday.
According to LAWMA, Monday was arrested at No. 13, Lanre Adefiranye Street, Baale Bus Stop, Meiran during a joint operation by the LAWMA Enforcement Team, Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) and the Mobile Police.
The arrest followed a tip-off from members of the public, which enabled the enforcement team to respond promptly to the alleged environmental violation.
She was subsequently arraigned before the Magistrate Court sitting at Bolade, Oshodi, where she pleaded guilty to the offence and was sentenced to one month in prison.
The Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, commended members of the public who provided the information, describing their action as “a demonstration of responsible citizenship and support for efforts to protect the environment.”
Gbadegesin reiterated LAWMA’s commitment to tackling indiscriminate waste disposal, particularly practices that obstruct drainage channels and increase flooding risks during rainfall.
“Members of the public have an important role to play in protecting our environment. When you see indiscriminate dumping or any other environmental violation, speak up and report it. Timely information can help us respond quickly and prevent environmental offences from becoming bigger problems,” he said.
The Authority warned residents against dumping refuse in drainage channels and other unauthorised locations, stressing that such acts are environmental offences that attract sanctions under the law.
“Environmental protection is a shared responsibility requiring the active participation of communities and residents,”_ Gbadegesin added, urging residents to embrace the principle of “If you see something, say something.”
LAWMA further urged residents to dispose of their waste responsibly through approved channels, warning that dumping in drains endangers public health, the environment and the city’s drainage infrastructure.
The authority said it would continue to work with relevant enforcement agencies to identify and sanction environmental offenders across Lagos.
