- LAWMA Nabs Two Women Over Illegal Waste Dumping
- Suspects reportedly failed to provide valid addresses
- Violators risk ₦250,000 fine or three months in jail
By Grateful Ogunjebe
Two women have been arrested for illegally dumping waste in the Sangotedo area of Lagos and will now face prosecution under the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law (EMPL 2017).
Eko hot blog gathered that the suspects, identified as Margaret Solomon, 29, and Onyia Elizabeth, 42, were apprehended by the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) surveillance team during a night operation along the Lekki Expressway.
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Confirming the arrests via his official X account on Thursday, July 17, LAWMA’s Managing Director, Muyiwa Gbadegeshin, said both women failed to provide verifiable residential addresses upon arrest and were subsequently transferred to the agency’s legal department for prosecution.
“Upon apprehension, the suspects were unable to provide verifiable residential addresses and have since been transferred to LAWMA’s legal team for prosecution,” he stated.
Photographic and video evidence was reportedly gathered at the scene to support the legal proceedings.
Gbadegeshin stressed that every resident of Lagos has a responsibility to maintain proper environmental hygiene, urging citizens to register with accredited waste operators and avoid unauthorised disposal.
“Failure to comply attracts arrest, fines up to ₦250,000, and imprisonment of up to three months,” he warned.
He encouraged Lagosians to use only LAWMA-certified waste bins and to report illegal dumping activities to help improve public sanitation and reduce environmental hazards.
The arrest comes amid heightened efforts by the state government to crack down on environmental offences, especially in rapidly developing areas like Sangotedo.
Illegal waste disposal has long been a challenge for Lagos, a megacity grappling with growing urbanisation and overpopulation.
LAWMA reiterated that the agency will continue to deploy surveillance teams to apprehend offenders across the state and ensure they are brought to justice.
The suspects are expected to appear before a magistrate in coming days, where the court will determine the extent of their liability under the law.
