Seven persons have been arraigned before the Special Offences Mobile Court sitting in Ikeja Magisterial District for allegedly assaulting enforcement officials of the Lagos Waste Management Authority during an environmental enforcement operation.
The defendants, Olamilekan Abdullahi (21), Akeem Olamilekan (24), Frank Tom (25), Sakiru Jamiu (20), Emmanuel Abiodun (41), Olarewanju Onyowale (35) and Taiwo Yusuf (30), were reportedly apprehended by LAWMA enforcement personnel on March 8, within the Moshalashi Jimoh axis in Lagos Island during routine monitoring against indiscriminate waste disposal.
Disclosing this in a statement on Facebook on Thursday, the Lagos State Government noted that the individuals were subsequently arraigned on March 10.
“They were subsequently arraigned on March 10, 2026, before the Special Offences (Mobile) Court, Ikeja, in the matter of Attorney General of Lagos State v. Olamilekan Abdullahi and 6 Others.
“The prosecution charged the defendants on a five-count charge bordering on conduct likely to cause breach of peace, indiscriminate dumping of refuse at an unapproved location, failure to patronise an approved Private Sector Participant (PSP) waste operator, obstruction of officers in the discharge of their duties, and assault,” the statement partly read.
All seven defendants were reported to have pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read before the court..
“The court thereafter adjourned the case to April 24, 2026, for trial and admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N200,000 each with two responsible sureties, one of whom must be a recognised community leader while the other must be a gainfully employed relative,” the statement added.
Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, the defendants were reportedly remanded in a correctional facility.
LAWMA warned that obstruction or assault of enforcement personnel constitutes a serious offence under the laws of Lagos State, stating that “acts capable of undermining environmental enforcement operations would be firmly addressed through appropriate legal channels.”
PUNCH earlier reported that LAWMA warned against attacks, harassment or obstruction of its enforcement officers while carrying out lawful duties across the state.
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