Ilorin Court sentences 40 to three months for environmental violations

A Magistrate Court in Ilorin sentenced 40 individuals to a three-month jail term each on Friday for violating the Kwara State Environmental Law.

The defendants, all residents of Ilorin, faced various charges, including indiscriminate disposal of refuse, encroachment, and illegal scavenging. They all pleaded guilty.

Presiding Magistrate Saidu Tunde Abdulkareem handed down the three-month sentences, with an option to pay a N50,000 fine, in accordance with Section 5, Subsections 1–4 of the State Environmental Law.

Out of the 40 defendants, 31 were arrested for indiscriminate refuse disposal, while the remaining nine were charged with illegal scavenging.

Kwara State Commissioner for Environment and Forestry, Nafisat Buge, welcomed the judgment, emphasizing that the ongoing enforcement of the environmental law aims to prevent disease outbreaks, flooding, and other dangers associated with improper waste disposal.

The ministry recently launched a 300-member task force to apprehend those violating environmental regulations, particularly those related to improper waste disposal, encroachment, and illegal scavenging.

“The task force began enforcement on Tuesday and made several arrests. We have a mobile court within the ministry that prosecutes offenders, as seen today,” Buge said.

She also mentioned that the ministry has been actively educating the public on these issues.

“Previously, the state House of Assembly passed a law banning scavenging within the Ilorin metropolis, restricting such activities to a government-designated dump site along the Sokoto Aiyekale expressway,” Buge added.

The commissioner urged Ilorin residents to use the Roro bins placed at strategic locations across the city or to hire commercial waste collectors, who charge minimal fees for proper waste management.

She affirmed that the enforcement would continue as long as unlawful waste dumping persists.

“We have assessed our drainage systems and found that many are blocked due to improper waste disposal. We are currently clearing them, but we aim to prevent future blockages. Our goal is to maintain a healthier and cleaner environment in the state,” Buge concluded.