The special offences (mobile) court sitting in Oshodi, Lagos state has convicted 48-year-old Makinde Rasaq for indiscriminate refuse disposal.
Operatives of the Lagos state environment and special offenses enforcement unit, also known as the task force, arrested Rasaq on Sunday over illegal refuse dumping.
He was arraigned on Monday before mobile court for seven-court charge bordering on “illegal dumping, obstruction of officers, non-patronage of PSP operators, and breach of peace”.
He pleaded guilty to the charges.
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F.J. Adefioye, the magistrate, sentenced Rasaq to one-month community service or one-month imprisonment for count one and two-month community service or two-month imprisonment for count two.
On count three, he was sentenced two-month community service or three-month imprisonment; on count four, two-month community service or three-month imprisonment; and on count five, two-month community service or three-month imprisonment.
The same punishment as count five was given for courts six and seven.
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In a statement, Tokunbo Wahab, the commissioner for the environment and water resources in Lagos, said Rasaq’s arrest was in line with the state government’s zero tolerance for environmental infractions.
The commissioner said Rasaq has been remanded at the Kirikiri prison.
“Makinde Rasaq (48), who was apprehended for indiscriminate disposal of refuse and appeared before the Special Offences (Mobile) Court in Oshodi today,” the statement reads.
“He pleaded guilty to multiple counts including illegal dumping, obstruction of officers, non-patronage of PSP operators, and breach of peace.
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“The court handed down sentences ranging from community service to imprisonment, and the offender has been remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Facility.
“Let this serve as a clear message: Lagos will not tolerate environmental infractions. Indiscriminate waste disposal endangers public health, blocks our drainages, and puts lives at risk.
“We will continue to enforce, prosecute, and hold offenders accountable. A cleaner Lagos is a collective responsibility, and compliance with the law is non-negotiable.”
“Indiscriminate waste disposal poses serious risks to public health, drainage systems, and overall environmental sustainability, and offenders will be held accountable accordingly.”
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