A Lagos court has ordered a 48 year old man, Makinde Rasaq, to serve community service after finding him guilty of illegally dumping refuse on a public road in the Lagos Island area of the state.

The Lagos State Waste Management Authority confirmed the conviction on Monday, describing it as another step in the government’s ongoing enforcement of environmental laws. The agency’s Managing Director, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, disclosed the outcome in an official statement.

According to LAWMA, Rasaq was arrested last week by operatives of the Lagos State Task Force following allegations of indiscriminate waste disposal. Reports had earlier indicated that he was held at the Task Force office in Oshodi for further investigation.

Providing an update, Gbadegesin said the suspect was arraigned before a Special Offences Court sitting in Oshodi, where he faced seven charges. The offences included breach of the peace, unlawful dumping of waste, failure to patronise registered Private Sector Participation operators, illegal transportation of refuse without a licence, and obstruction of government officials in the course of their duties.

He explained that the court sentenced Rasaq to various terms of imprisonment with the option of community service. In total, the sentences amounted to 13 months of community service, to be carried out at Kirikiri. The longest single sentence imposed was three months, with all terms ordered to run concurrently.

Gbadegesin added that the convict was apprehended on Saturday night while attempting to dump refuse at the Tinubu Fountain area in central Lagos. Authorities also suspect that he may be part of a group deliberately disposing of waste illegally to create the impression that Lagos is unclean.

Reacting to the judgment, the LAWMA Managing Director said the conviction underscored the state government’s zero tolerance for indiscriminate waste disposal. He urged residents to comply fully with environmental regulations and to engage only LAWMA accredited PSP operators for their waste management needs.

He noted that while waste generation is an inevitable part of daily life, improper disposal poses serious risks to public health and the environment. According to him, responsible waste handling remains essential for effective service delivery and a cleaner city.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government has continued to pursue legal action against offenders. In November, officials announced plans to prosecute three individuals arrested for illegal waste dumping in the Ayobo area following a surveillance operation by LAWMA officials.

State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, had said the arrests reflected the government’s resolve to enforce environmental laws across all parts of Lagos, warning that violators would face the full weight of the law.