Confusion over court rulings on Lagos environmental sanitation has prompted clarification from the state government, which insists the exercise remains lawful and backed by existing judicial decisions.
The state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), said the prevailing judgment of the Court of Appeal delivered on November 23, 2021, affirmed the legality of the monthly sanitation programme in Lagos.
He said the court ruled that the exercise does not violate the fundamental rights of residents, contrary to interpretations circulating in some sections of the media.
Pedro explained that the case filed by Ebun Adegboruwa was decided in favour of the Lagos State Government, with the appellate court upholding the legality of the sanitation exercise.
He noted that the matter is currently before the Supreme Court, stressing that the Court of Appeal’s 2021 decision remains binding until set aside by the apex court.
The Attorney-General also dismissed reliance on an earlier 2019 Court of Appeal judgment in the case of Faith Okafor versus Lagos State Government, saying it has been overtaken by the more recent ruling.
He maintained that no subsisting court order prohibits the sanitation exercise or restricts the government from enforcing movement control during the period.
Pedro clarified that the state has not imposed a total lockdown during sanitation hours, but operates a controlled movement arrangement.
He explained that residents can still move within the state, provided they use routes not affected by ongoing cleaning activities.
He added that any restriction is temporary and limited strictly to areas where sanitation operations are taking place, saying the measure is aimed at ensuring safety and effective waste management.
