LAWMA cracks down on environmental offenders
A 53-year-old woman, Nelly Monday, has been sentenced to one month in prison for dumping refuse into a drainage channel in Lagos State during rainfall.
Monday was arrested in the Meiran area of Lagos on Wednesday, September 9, after she was allegedly caught disposing of waste in a drain while it was raining.
The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, saying the woman was subsequently arraigned before the Magistrate Court sitting at Bolade, Oshodi.
According to the authority, Monday pleaded guilty to the offence and was sentenced to one month imprisonment by the court.
LAWMA said the conviction was part of ongoing efforts to enforce environmental laws and discourage practices capable of obstructing drainage channels and worsening flooding in the state.
The authority warned residents against indiscriminate disposal of refuse, particularly dumping waste in drains and other unauthorised locations.
It stressed that such acts constitute environmental offences and attract sanctions under the law.
LAWMA said it would continue to work with relevant enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute environmental offenders across Lagos.
The authority urged residents to dispose of their waste responsibly and make use of approved waste disposal channels.
The conviction comes amid renewed efforts by the Lagos State Government and environmental agencies to tackle indiscriminate waste disposal, especially during the rainy season when blocked drains can contribute to flooding.
LAWMA therefore advised residents to keep drainage channels free of refuse and comply with approved waste disposal procedures.
