Seven arraigned for allegedly assaulting LAWMA operatives in Lagos

Seven individuals have been arraigned before the Special Offences (Mobile) Court sitting in the Ikeja Magisterial District for allegedly assaulting enforcement operatives of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) during an environmental enforcement operation.

The defendants are Olamilekan Abdullahi (21), Akeem Olamilekan (24), Frank Tom (25), Sakiru Jamiu (20), Emmanuel Abiodun (41), Olarewanju Onyowale (35), and Taiwo Yusuf (30).

They were apprehended by LAWMA enforcement personnel on March 8, 2026, at the Moshalashi Jimoh axis in Lagos Island during a routine monitoring exercise against indiscriminate waste disposal.

Following their arrest, the suspects were arraigned on March 10, 2026, before the Special Offences (Mobile) Court in Ikeja in the case titled Attorney General of Lagos State v. Olamilekan Abdullahi & 6 Others.

The prosecution brought a five-count charge against the defendants, bordering on conduct likely to cause a 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.

When the charges were read in court, all seven defendants pleaded not guilty.

The court subsequently adjourned the matter to April 24, 2026, for the commencement of trial.

The defendants were granted 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.

Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, the defendants were remanded in a correctional facility.

Reacting to the development, LAWMA warned that the obstruction or assault of enforcement personnel constitutes a serious offence under Lagos State laws, stressing that acts capable of undermining environmental enforcement operations would be dealt with through appropriate legal channels.

The agency reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing environmental sanitation regulations across the state in order to promote proper waste management and maintain a cleaner and healthier environment for residents.