The Lagos State government has arraigned and secured the conviction of 17 individuals for urinating and defecating in public places, as part of its intensified enforcement of environmental sanitation laws.
The environmental offenders, apprehended by LAWMA operatives, were arraigned on Wednesday before the Magistrate Court sitting at Bolade, Oshodi.
Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who disclosed the development on X (formerly Twitter), said the court found the defendants guilty and sentenced each offender to pay a fine of N40,000 or serve one month imprisonment.
“Let this serve as a clear reminder that open urination and defecation are environmental offences and serious public health risks. Lagos State will continue to enforce sanitation laws firmly to protect public health, preserve human dignity and maintain order in our communities,” Wahab wrote .
According to the prosecution, the offenders were caught engaging in open urination and defecation, acts described as environmental risks that pose serious danger to public health.
The commissioner urged residents to make use of available public sanitation facilities and comply with environmental regulations, emphasizing that cleanliness is a shared responsibility.
Wahab said the ruling should serve as a warning to residents who still engage in such acts and endanger the public, adding that Lagos State would continue to enforce sanitation laws to protect public health, preserve human dignity and maintain order in communities across the state.
The arraignment is part of ongoing efforts by the Lagos State government to maintain environmental hygiene and public health standards across the metropolis. Despite the availability of public toilets in various locations, some residents continue to engage in open defecation and urination, particularly in commercial areas and under bridges.
Environmental health experts have repeatedly warned that open defecation and urination contribute to the spread of diseases, contaminate water sources, and degrade the environment, making strict enforcement of sanitation laws necessary for public health protection.
The Lagos State government has been working to provide more public sanitation facilities across the state while simultaneously enforcing environmental laws to deter offenders and promote responsible sanitation practices among residents.