Ogun Court Convicts Eight Over Illegal Waste Dumping in Abeokuta

(Court. Photo by Daily Nigerian)

An Ogun State Magistrate Court sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta, has convicted and sentenced eight individuals for indiscriminate waste disposal within the Abeokuta metropolis.

According to a statement released by the Ogun State Waste Management Authority on Friday, the offenders were arrested and prosecuted on a two-count charge by the Medical Officer of Health of the authority, Kehinde Ogunsola.

Ogunsola told the court that the defendants were apprehended between 6:15 a.m. and 8:05 a.m. while allegedly dumping refuse on public roads at Isale-Igbein, Car-Wash and Abiola Way within the Abeokuta Magisterial District.

He stated that the act produced offensive odours and encouraged the breeding of flies, which could contribute to the spread of diseases such as cholera, while also posing risks of flooding and environmental degradation.

According to him, the actions breached the Public Health Law of Ogun State 2006 and Section 34(1) of the Ogun State Waste Management Authority Law 2020.

In her judgment, Justice A.K. Araba found all eight defendants guilty on both counts and ordered them to perform community service within the Isabo Magistrate Court premises.

The convicted offenders are Oyebanjo Abidemi, Aminat Adewusi, Aminat Olarewaju, Omolana Olusola, Abiola Moridiya, Olaogun Mary, Abiodun Aromokun and Iwenya Sylvester.

The court further directed that their photographs be displayed on the court’s notice board while they carry out community service.

The court warned that any of them found guilty of a similar offence in the future would face imprisonment without the option of a fine.

Reacting to the judgment, the Special Adviser to the Governor, who also serves as Managing Director of the authority, Farouk Akintunde, commended the judiciary for what he described as proper interpretation of the state’s waste management laws.

He said the ruling would strengthen ongoing efforts to check indiscriminate waste disposal and its associated environmental and health risks across the state.

Akintunde reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to intensifying enforcement activities and warned residents against illegal dumping of refuse on roads and other public spaces.

He urged those still engaging in such practices to patronise approved waste managers or face prosecution, stressing that offenders would continue to be prosecuted.

In May, the court had sentenced 14 persons to two weeks’ imprisonment with an option of a fine for indiscriminate waste disposal in parts of the state.

The offenders were arraigned on a two-count charge relating to illegal waste disposal and acts capable of endangering public health.