Seven Fined For Environmental Nuisance

Seven tenants of No. 2, Sumonu Street, Isale-Oja, behind Isokoko Police Station, Agege, Lagos, have been fined by an Agege, Grade ‘A’, Customary Court, Lagos, southwest Nigeria, for environmental nuisance.

The tenants incude Mr. Eze, Mrs Esther Festus, Mrs Rafutu Buhari, Mrs Blessing Samson, Mr Tajudeen Emmanuel, Mr. E.B. Eze and one other person.

They were ordered to pay N5,000 each or go to jail for one month.

According to a council officer, Mr. K.O. Oshodi, he pleaded with the court to give them stiff punishment as they had turned the house to a commercial property, adding: “The house is over-populated and the nuisance has not abated.

“They pleaded guilty to the charge because they know the gravity of their offence. The nuisance in the environment can cause communicable disease. The compound is emitting obnoxious odour.

“Nobody can cook in the kitchen which roof is leaking.”

Mr. E. B. Shokunle, the court president in delivering judgment said: “Seven of you have been found guilty. You are hereby fined N5,000 each or you go to jail for one month.

“No defaulters should go unpunished and the offence is punishable under section 32 customary court law of Lagos state 2003,” he said.

— Ibrahim Bakare