The Appeal Court in Lagos has nullified the monthly environmental sanitation in Lagos State, saying it is illegal and ordered the Lagos State Government not to restrict people’s movement on that day.

The court which delivered its judgment at the weekend banned the state government from further restricting anyone’s movement within Lagos State at any time or day whatsoever on the basis of environmental sanitation as there is no written law to that effect.

Justice Ugochukwu Ogakwu of the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division held that in the absence of a written law prescribing the same, the governor’s directive for people in Lagos State to stay at home and not to move about thereby restricting movement of persons in Lagos State within the hours of 7.00am to 10.00am on the last Saturday of every month was unlawful, illegal and unconstitutional.

The suit was brought before the court by a citizen, Faith Okafor (Appellant) against the Lagos State Government (Respondent).

The court restrained the Lagos State Government and its affiliates from further arresting the
anyone whatsoever on the basis of a purported environmental sanitation offence or trying anyone in the Special Offences Court without conforming to the dictates of the Constitution.

According to Justice Ogakwu, after due consideration of this appeal and the issues raised therein, “I have arrived at the inexorable conclusion that the appeal is meritorious. The same succeeds and is allowed by me. The Ruling of the lower court in Suit No. M/548/2013: FAITH OKAFOR vs. LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT & ANOR. delivered on 1st July 2014 is hereby set aside.

“In its stead and for good order sake, judgment is hereby entered for the Appellant against the Respondents in the following terms: It is hereby declared that the arrest and detention and transportation of the Appellant in the back of a vehicle which is of a metal cage with very little ventilation and light “Black Maria” by officials and/or agents of the 1st Respondent (KAI Brigade) on 25th May 2013 for a purported environmental sanitation offence violates the Appellant’s fundamental rights to respect for the dignity of her person, personal liberty and freedom of movement as provided under Sections 34, 35 and 41 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, and is therefore illegal and unconstitutional.”
Justice Ogakwu declared that the purported trial and conviction of the Appellant for a purported environmental sanitation offence violates the Appellant’s fundamental rights to fair hearing as provided under Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, and is therefore unlawful, illegal and unconstitutional.

The court further declared that in the absence of a written law prescribing the same, the 1st Respondent’s directive for people in Lagos State to stay at home and not to move about thereby restricting movement of persons in Lagos State within the hours of 7.00am to 10.00am on the last Saturday of every month is unlawful, illegal and unconstitutional.

4. The Respondents are hereby restrained from further restricting the Appellant’s or anyone’s movement within Lagos State at any time or day whatsoever on the basis of environmental sanitation without there being a written law prescribing the same.

“The Respondents are restrained from further arresting the Appellant or anyone whatsoever on the basis of a purported environmental sanitation offence or trying anyone in the Special Offences Court without conforming to the dictates of the Constitution. The Appellant is entitled to the costs of this appeal which I assess and fix at N100, 000.00,” he ruled.
-Kazeem Ugbodaga

A chieftain of Afenifere , the pan Yoruba socio-political group, Sir Olaniwun Ajayi, is dead.

The prominent Yoruba leader, who, in less than 48 hours before his death, spoke exclusively with Nigerian Tribune, in what has turned out to be his last interview, predicted how President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor will emerge.

He also revealed the pact between the North and a think tank based in the United States and Britain.


Tribune Online gathered that Sir Olaniwun Ajayi died before 12 midnight on Thursday, according to his personal secretary, Mr Samson Aremu, at the age of 91 years.

The Isara-born was reported to have complained of pain on Thursday afternoon and was taken to Lagos by his eldest son, Dr. Konyin Ajayi, before he gave up the ghost, hours later.

President Muhammadu Buhari says he will keep faith with the oath of office he swore, and treat all Nigerians equitably. Receiving the Executive Committee Members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) from 19 Northern States and Abuja, at State House, Thursday, the President equally pledged to restore peace to all parts of the country, noting: “Restoring peace is a top priority.

We will enable the law enforcement agencies to combat all forms of violent crimes, and ensure that our people live in peace.”

BUHARI WITH CAN excoCAN and Buhari
President Buhari urged the clerics to promote religious harmony, by “enhancing understanding among different faiths.”

He also disclosed that the government would maintain the priority it has placed on agriculture and mines and steel development, “to kick-start the economy.”

The Chairman of CAN in the 19 Northern States and Abuja, Rev. Yakubu Pam, said it was not a mistake that God chose President Buhari to lead the country at these challenging times.

“We are ready to support your administration to deliver good governance. You have good intentions for Nigeria, judging from the programs that have been outlined,” Rev. Pam said.
He also highlighted ethnoreligious challenges in the country, freedom of worship, and herdsmen/farmers’ clashes in their discussion with the President.

The CAN leader commended the Buhari administration for the blow dealt Boko Haram insurgents, “leading to comparative peace in the North-east,” the return of 21 abducted schoolgirls from Chibok, and the anti-corruption war, which he urged “should be fought to the logical conclusion.”