In Ilorin, a Magistrate Court handed down a three-month jail sentence to 40 individuals for violating the Kwara State Environmental Law.
These defendants, all Ilorin residents, faced charges including indiscriminate refuse dumping, encroachment, and illegal scavenging, to which they pleaded guilty.
The presiding Magistrate, Saidu Tunde Abdulkareem, imposed a three-month imprisonment term on each defendant, with an option to pay a N50,000 fine, as stipulated in Section 5 subsection 1–4 of the State Environmental Law.
Of the defendants, 31 were caught for improper refuse disposal, while nine were apprehended for illegal scavenging.
Reacting to the ruling, Kwara State’s Commissioner for Environment and Forestry, Nafisat Buge, lauded the decision, emphasizing that enforcing environmental laws aims to prevent disease outbreaks, flood disasters, and other risks associated with indiscriminate waste disposal.
The ministry recently established a 300-member task force to enforce environmental regulations, specifically targeting improper waste disposal, encroachment, and illegal scavenging.
“The task force began enforcement actions on Tuesday, leading to several arrests. We have a mobile court within the ministry to prosecute offenders, as demonstrated today,” she explained.
Buge highlighted the ministry’s ongoing public awareness campaigns against such violations.
She noted, “Previously, the state Assembly passed a law prohibiting scavenging in Ilorin. Their activities are now confined to a designated dumpsite along the Sokoto Aiyekale expressway.”
Concluding her statement, Buge urged Ilorin residents to utilize designated Roro bins or engage commercial waste collectors who charge a nominal fee for proper waste management.
She affirmed that enforcement efforts will persist as long as unlawful refuse dumping continues.
“Following a comprehensive assessment of our drainage systems, we observed blockages caused by improper waste disposal. While we are addressing these issues, we are committed to fostering a healthier and cleaner environment in the state,” added the commissioner.