Seventeen people have been arraigned in court for offences related to indiscriminate waste disposal, Lagos State authorities said in official posts on X on Friday.
According to the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), the defendants were apprehended during enforcement operations against environmental sanitation violations in the state. “Seventeen (17) environmental offenders apprehended by Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) were arraigned before the Magistrate Court,” the agency said in its update.
The enforcement drive is part of continued efforts to improve sanitation in Lagos, which has been confronting persistent problems with refuse dumping across residential and commercial areas.
Details from the court session showed that some of the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.
In one of the arraignments, the first defendant, Daniel Alfred, entered a not-guilty plea, and his case was adjourned for trial.
The court scheduled further proceedings for 3rd April 2026, LAWMA said.
“The 1st defendant, Daniel Alfred, pleaded not guilty, and his case has been adjourned to 3rd April 2026 for trial,” LAWMA added.
The authority’s social media updates indicate that the state is increasing surveillance and enforcement to stop indiscriminate refuse disposal in public spaces, waterways and major thoroughfares.
Sanitation officials have repeatedly warned residents and businesses that enforcement will continue and that anyone found violating sanitation laws may face arrest and prosecution.
Lawmakers, community leaders and residents generally support tighter enforcement, saying cleaner streets and neighbourhoods help reduce flooding, disease and environmental hazards.
The court will continue to hear cases against the other 16 defendants on the new date as LAWMA and the State Government uphold their sanitation enforcement strategy.
