Lagos approves 24 magistrate courts to prosecute environmental offenders

David Oriyomi, president, Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN), says the Lagos state government has approved 24 magistrate courts to prosecute environmental defaulters.

Speaking to NAN on Thursday, Oriyomi said Kazeem Alogba, chief judge of Lagos, gave the approval in a letter sent to the association.

He mentioned some of the courts to include court 4; court 10, Igbosere, court 4, Tinubu, court 18, court 20 in Ogba and court 2 in Ogudu, as well as six mobile courts, where offenders would be tried on the go.

He said the development would help to improve the aesthetics of Lagos, adding that waste managers are ready to take action to implement the existing environmental laws.

“With the approval of these courts for environmental offences, defaulters will be forced to conform with the requirements of cleanliness. We are happy that the chief judge approved the courts and by that token, he has enhanced the cleanliness of the state,” Oriyomi said.

“Most of these diseases come through a dirty environment, so it behoves on us to keep our environment clean, so as to have healthy citizens and a healthy economy.”

Olugbenga Adebola, the spokesperson of AWAMN, said it has become an offence not to patronise PSP operators or refusing to pay for services rendered.

“We are all Lagosians and the government is not interested in even prosecuting anybody. The government wants residents to comply with every environmental laws,” he said.

“Just as the Bible said, Our Lord is not interested in the death of a sinner, but He wants every sinner to repent and make heaven.”