A 45-year-old man, Mr. Imeh Bassey, is set to face trial after being arrested for illegally dumping refuse on the median of Ikorodu Road, near the Ketu bus stop, Lagos State, early Tuesday morning.
The spokesperson for the state Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Kunle Adesina, disclosed in a statement on Tuesday.
According to Adesina, the Lagos Waste Management Authority monitoring squad apprehended Bassey at about 4:00 am on Tuesday.
The suspect was said to be discharging waste on the busy road when he was nabbed by LAWMA officials.
Adesina emphasised that it was a crime to discharge refuse on the roadside or median and that such an act violated Lagos State environmental laws designed to keep the city clean and safe.
An investigation by the agency traced the source of the waste to the banana section of the Ketu fruits market.
The statement read, “Mr Imeh Bassey – 45 years old, was arrested at 0400hrs Tuesday by LAWMA monitoring squad on Ikorodu Road median, Ketu bus stop for discharging refuse on the road.
“Discreet investigation after his arrest traced the source of the waste down to the banana section of Ketu fruit market.”
In a video seen by PUNCH Metro, the suspect revealed that he was paid N500 by a man affiliated with the national union at the market to dispose of the refuse but could not identify the individual.
“We have set up our surveillance and enforcement operations across Lagos to curb illegal dumping. Offenders will be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others,” said a LAWMA official whose name was not mentioned but was part of the team that arrested the suspect.
Bassey will soon be charged in court as the agency continues to enforce strict penalties against environmental violations.
PUNCH.
