Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Lagos State authorities have arraigned 17 individuals before a magistrate court on charges related to public urination and defecation, part of a renewed enforcement drive aimed at improving sanitation and public hygiene across the state.
The 17 defendants were brought before a Magistrates’ Court in Lagos following arrest operations conducted by sanitation enforcement teams working with the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) and other regulatory agencies. The arraignment reflects the administration’s continued implementation of laws that prohibit open defecation and public urination in line with state sanitation regulations.
Under applicable Lagos State environmental and public health laws, acts such as discharging human waste in public spaces — including streets, alleyways, drains, pedestrian walkways and other non-sanctioned areas — are offences punishable by fines, community service, or custodial sentences. The measures are intended to curb practices that degrade the urban environment, contaminate water sources and pose public health risks.
In court proceedings, the defendants pleaded to charges that largely state they were found “urinating and defecating in public places” without lawful excuse, contrary to the relevant public health and environmental sanitation laws of Lagos State. Legal representatives for some of the accused entered appearances on their behalf and sought bail, while others were unrepresented at the time of arraignment.
The Magistrate Court adjourned the matter to allow for legal representation and the filing of responses to the charges. Bail applications were slated to be heard at the next session, where the defence and prosecution will make submissions on appropriate conditions or sanctions under the law.
Lagos State government officials, including representatives of the Ministry of Environment, have stressed that enforcement actions are part of a larger campaign to enforce sanitation compliance and protect public health. They say habitual public defecation and urination contribute to environmental pollution, block drainages, and heighten the risk of communicable diseases.
The state has previously prosecuted similar cases under the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Law and the Public Health Law, with sentences ranging from fines to periodic court appearances, depending on judicial discretion and the circumstances of each offence.
Public reaction to such prosecutions has been mixed. Supporters of the enforcement drive argue that visible sanitation offences undermine urban living standards and should be deterred through legal means. Critics, however, contend that prosecution should be coupled with greater investment in public toilets, accessible sanitation facilities and community education to address root causes such as inadequate infrastructure.
Sanitation enforcement teams have been operational across major commercial and residential districts, as well as transport hubs, markets and waterfront areas, with officials noting that complaints from residents and business owners partly fuel the enforcement catchment areas. Authorities have also warned that repeat offenders could face stiffer penalties in line with the state’s commitment to upholding environmental and public health standards.
The arraignment of the 17 individuals underscores Lagos State’s legal approach to behavioural sanitation issues, combining statutory enforcement with judicial processes in a bid to promote a cleaner and healthier urban environment.
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