LAGOS GOVERNMENT SECURES CONVICTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL OFFENDER, REAFFIRMS ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Lagos State Government has secured the conviction of Makinde Rasaq for multiple environmental offences, underscoring its zero-tolerance stance against environmental degradation and illegal waste disposal across the state.
Makinde Rasaq, 48, was convicted by the Special Offences (Mobile Court) sitting at Bolade, Oshodi, for violating provisions of the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017, and other applicable environmental regulations.
According to the prosecution, the defendant was arraigned on seven counts, including conduct likely to breach public peace, indiscriminate dumping of refuse at unauthorised locations such as roads, sidewalks and vacant lands, failure to patronise an approved Private Sector Participation (PSP) waste operator, and managing and transporting waste in a manner harmful to the environment.
Other offences included operating waste collection and disposal services without a valid licence and obstructing authorised government officials in the lawful performance of their duties.
The court found the defendant guilty on all seven counts and handed down various sentences, including terms of community service or imprisonment at a correctional centre, with the option depending on the choice exercised by the convict. The sentences, the court ruled, are to run consecutively.
The prosecution team was led by Olufemi Adekunle, alongside Oluwabusola Omotunde, on behalf of the Lagos State Government.
In delivering judgment, the presiding magistrate, Justice F.J. Adefioye, warned that environmental offences pose serious risks to public health and safety, and affirmed that the judiciary would continue to support government efforts to curb indiscriminate waste disposal and illegal waste operations.
Reacting to the conviction, the Lagos State Government reiterated its commitment to enforcing environmental laws, stressing that it would not tolerate environmental degradation, unlicensed waste activities, or obstruction of enforcement officers.
The government advised residents and business operators to patronise only approved PSP operators and to comply fully with all environmental regulations to avoid sanctions.
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