Eight given community sentences for unlawful disposal of rubbish

Abeokuta Chief Magistrates’ Court handed down a sentence of community service to eight individuals on Friday for their role in the indiscriminate disposal of waste, a move aimed at promoting environmental sanitation.

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The eight individuals found guilty are Abidemi Oyebanjo, Aminat Adewusi, Aminat Olarewaju, Omolana Olusola, Abiola Moridiya, Mary Olaogun, Abiodun Aromokun, and Sylvester Iwenya, who were all convicted on a two-count charge related to unlawful waste disposal and acts that posed a danger to health, life, and property.

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Magistrate A.K. Araba delivered the judgment, finding the defendants guilty and ordering them to carry out community service within the court premises, a sentence intended to serve as a warning to would-be offenders.

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As part of the sentence, Araba directed that photographs of the convicts performing their community service be displayed on the court's notice board, a move designed to further deter others from committing similar offences.

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Araba also issued a stern warning that any future offenders found guilty of similar crimes would face imprisonment without the option of a fine, highlighting the seriousness with which the court views such offences.

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Prosecutor Mr Kehinde Ogunsola, a Medical Officer of Health with the Ogun State Waste Management Authority, presented the case against the defendants, outlining the details of their offences, which occurred at various locations within the capital between 6:15am and 8:05 am.

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Ogunsola specified that the defendants were caught dumping waste in the Isale-Igbein, Car Wash, and Abiola Way areas of Abeokuta, acts that constituted significant environmental and public health hazards due to the offensive odour, attraction of flies, and potential for spreading Cholera.

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The prosecutor further noted that the indiscriminate dumping of refuse could lead to flooding, thereby endangering lives and property, and emphasized that such actions were in contravention of the provisions of Section 34(1) of the Public Health Law of Ogun 2006, and the Ogun State Waste Management Authority Law, 2020.

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Reacting to the judgment, Mr Farouk Akintunde, Special Adviser to the Governor and Managing Director of OGWAMA, commended the judiciary for its support in curbing indiscriminate waste disposal, pledging that the authority would intensify its enforcement efforts across the state.

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Akintunde urged residents to make use of accredited waste managers operating in their areas and to refrain from dumping refuse on roads and other public places, a call to action aimed at promoting a cleaner and healthier environment.