Lagos resident found dumping refuse in drainage sentenced to one month in prison

A 53-year-old woman, Nelly Monday, has been sentenced to one month in prison for dumping refuse into a drainage channel in Lagos State.

Monday was arrested in the Meiran area of the state on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, after she was allegedly caught disposing of waste in the drain during rainfall.

The Lagos Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, disclosed the development in a statement on Thursday, noting that the woman was subsequently arraigned before the Magistrate Court sitting at Bolade, Oshodi.

According to the authority, Monday pleaded guilty to the offence and was convicted and sentenced to one month in prison.

The statement read, “Nelly Monday, 53, who was arrested in Meiran on Wednesday, 9 September 2026, for dumping in the drains during the rain has been convicted of the offence.

“She was arraigned before the Magistrate Court sitting at Bolade, Oshodi, where she pleaded guilty to the offence and was sentenced to one month in prison.”

LAWMA warned residents against indiscriminate disposal of waste, particularly the practice of throwing refuse into drainage channels or other locations not approved for waste disposal.

The authority described such conduct as an environmental offence punishable under the law and vowed to sustain enforcement across the state.

It said, “The Authority will continue to work with relevant enforcement agencies to identify and sanction environmental offenders across Lagos.

“Residents are urged to dispose of their waste responsibly and through approved channels.”

The conviction comes as the Lagos State Government and environmental agencies intensify efforts to tackle indiscriminate waste disposal, especially practices that obstruct drainage channels and increase the risk of flooding.

LAWMA again urged residents to follow approved waste disposal procedures and refrain from dumping refuse in drains and other unauthorised locations.