Lagos woman sentenced to one month in prison for illegal waste disposal

Nelly Monday, a 53-year-old resident of Meiran, Lagos, has been sentenced to one month in prison for the illegal disposal of waste in a drainage channel. Monday was arrested on September 9, 2026, for allegedly dumping refuse into the drain during rainfall.

Following her arrest, she was arraigned before the Magistrate Court in Bolade, Oshodi, where she pleaded guilty to the environmental offence. The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) stated that such actions obstruct drainage channels and increase the risk of flooding during rainstorms.

LAWMA has intensified enforcement efforts to curb indiscriminate waste disposal and environmental degradation across Lagos. The authority warned residents that dumping refuse in unauthorized locations, such as roadsides and drains, violates environmental laws and will result in sanctions. LAWMA emphasized the importance of using approved waste disposal channels to prevent avoidable environmental hazards.