Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency (DCTDA), in collaboration with the Ugbolu community leadership, convened a mobile court session on Saturday, April 25, 2026, to prosecute residents who defaulted on the state’s monthly environmental sanitation exercise. The enforcement, which took place between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., was led by the Head of Environment of the Agency, Mr. Isaac Nwosu, who represented the Director General, Mr. Patrick Ukah. Magistrate Dike Magdalene presided over the mobile court, hearing a total of 43 cases against residents who failed to observe the state-sanctioned cleanup exercise. By the end of the proceedings, 34 offenders were convicted, three were discharged, and six were ordered to perform community service.
The exercise was carried out in close partnership with the President General of Ugbolu Community, Mr. Anthony Udezua, as part of ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with sanitation regulations. Representing the Director General of the Agency, Mr. Isaac Nwosu reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to strict enforcement of environmental laws across the capital territory. The agency emphasized that the initiative is part of sustained measures to enhance environmental hygiene and safeguard public health within the capital territory.
Agency officials reiterated that defaulters would continue to face prosecution without exception, and warned that the exercise was part of an ongoing push to boost public health and environmental cleanliness. Residents were reminded that maintaining a clean environment remains a collective responsibility. The agency called on all residents to adhere strictly to the monthly sanitation schedule, stressing that sanitation laws are binding on all residents, and that those who fail to comply will continue to face legal consequences.
The use of mobile courts for sanitation enforcement is not new to the capital territory. Mobile courts had been established to sit in Asaba, Okpanam/Issele-Azagba, Ibusa, Okwe and Ugbolu, as part of the state government’s zero-tolerance stance on environmental violations. The DCTDA had previously prosecuted offenders for indiscriminate refuse disposal and other environmental infractions.
The recent convictions underscore the determination of the Delta State Government to enforce environmental laws and maintain a clean and healthy capital territory. The agency has warned that individuals or organizations found in violation of environmental regulations, including improper waste disposal and blocking of drainage channels, will face prosecution. The DCTDA has also issued summons to residents in the capital territory, urging them to comply with the state’s sanitation laws.
The monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Delta State is a statutory programme, with the state government announcing the schedule for the year and issuing a warning to residents, landlords, and tenants to actively participate. Defaulters have consistently been warned that they would be arrested and prosecuted at mobile magistrate courts.
Residents of the capital territory who had previously been summoned by the agency for non-compliance have been urged to appear in court to avoid being convicted. The DCTDA has continued with its enforcement actions, and the recent convictions serve as a warning to those who might still disregard the state’s sanitation laws. The agency has also called on residents, business owners, and property managers to partner with it to maintain a clean and safe environment. The government has stated that it will sustain its enforcement drive to ensure that the capital territory remains orderly, sanitary, and environmentally sustainable.
As the rainy season approaches, the Delta State Government has emphasised the importance of keeping drainage channels clear to prevent flooding. The state government has thus continued to warn residents against dumping refuse in unauthorised locations, and against blocking the drains. For the 34 offenders convicted on Saturday, the law has sent a clear message: in Delta State, sanitation is not a suggestion—it is a mandate.
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