₦airaland Forum

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has criticised the decision of the Lagos State Government to reintroduce the monthly environmental sanitation exercise that restricts movement for three hours on the last Saturday of every month.


Falana described the policy as a “sad reminder” of what he called one of the primitive practices inherited from Nigeria’s defunct military regimes.

In a statement issued on Sunday while reacting to the move, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria argued that the planned reintroduction of the sanitation exercise could not be justified, particularly in view of the state’s environmental budget.

He noted that the 2026 Appropriation Law of Lagos State allocated about N236 billion to environmental matters, including urban waste management and sanitation, stressing that lawmakers had approved the funds to improve waste management systems across the state.

According to him, rather than devoting time and resources to enforcing restrictions on residents’ movement, the government should prioritise the recruitment of more sanitation workers and the acquisition of modern equipment such as mechanical sweepers for heavy debris and vacuum sweepers to handle dust and litter.

Falana also reminded the state government of the legal precedent established in the case of Faith Okafor v Lagos State Government, which he said declared movement restrictions during environmental sanitation hours illegal and unconstitutional.

He explained that the case involved a woman, Faith Okafor, who was arrested on May 25, 2013, for allegedly violating a restriction of movement imposed during the monthly sanitation exercise between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Okafor was reportedly taken into custody alongside several others and arraigned before a special offences court, where she pleaded guilty and was fined N2,000 for wandering and loitering during the sanitation period.


After paying the fine, she approached the High Court of Lagos State to challenge the action, arguing that her fundamental rights to dignity, personal liberty and freedom of movement had been violated. However, the High Court dismissed her application.

Unsatisfied with the ruling, she appealed the judgment at the Court of Appeal.

The Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, later ruled in her favour, holding that restricting movement during environmental sanitation hours lacked legal backing and violated constitutional rights.

The court further held that a directive issued by a state governor does not amount to law and therefore cannot be used to justify the arrest, prosecution or conviction of citizens.

In a concurring opinion, Justice Biobell Abraham Georgewill warned against allowing executive directives to override the rule of law.

“It is my view that democracy thrives more on obeying and promoting the rule of law rather than the whims and caprices of the leaders against the lead,” the judge said.

He added that prosecuting a citizen for an offence not prescribed in any written law, but merely based on a governor’s directive, could create a dangerous precedent capable of granting public office holders “infinite, absolute and autocratic powers” contrary to constitutional provisions.

Falana therefore urged the Lagos State Government not to proceed with the planned reintroduction of the monthly sanitation exercise, arguing that doing so would amount to disregarding the judgment of the appellate court.

https://dailypost.ng/2026/03/16/monthly-sanitation-falana-faults-lagos-govt-over-movement-restriction/

Would be hard for Nigeria to move forward.You just criticise even if such policy would be for the general good.That is why I can never be a politician!

We've cleaned gutters since the 80s and the gutters aren't still clean. So there is no point of the so-called environmental sanitation.

It hurts productivity and wastes precious business hours. Saturday is easily one of the money-making days of the week and locking it down for environmental sanitation that hasn't shown any tangible result is unwise and unnecessary.

Instead of the so-called environmental, the government should focus on covering open gutters and creating drainages that actually flow.

I remember when I was young and this last Saturday policy of cleaning your environment was very active.

People dey comply wella because council officers dey always come houses to check if dem comply or not.

Not inside your house oh but the environment

It’s even good for us in Lagos, let’s see if it will reduce rate of morning sickness of people.

cyberbro:
I strongly disagree with Baba Falz on this.

What he is saying is the environmental sanitation should be voluntary and people cannot be arrested because they have freedom of movement.

i thought we have forgotten about this and moved on, he should know that any measure in regards of ensuring we have a clean and healthy society should be encouraged

But the government has said that there's no restriction of movement

Health is wealth









Lagos must be neat due to foreigners arrivals evey season.

kunyeo:
Would be hard for Nigeria to move forward.You just criticise even if such policy would be for the general good.That is why I can never be a politician!

Nigerians are very difficult to govern, the funny thing is this same man will go to dubai other developed places and compare their Cleanliness rate to that of Nigeria,
Does he know that Rwanda one of the cleanest countries in Africa do environmental sanitation?

The Japanese have been disciplined to clean after themselves and not wait for government, infact last world cup they went viral because of how they cleaned the stands where they sat and even the players cleaned up the dressing room after each game .

Lawlessness is so embedded in Nigerians that we dont even understand what personal development and discipline is .

dododawa1:
Health is wealth









Lagos must be neat due to foreigners arrivals evey season.

But the Greatest Governor of Lagos Fashola made Lagos Super Clean without Environmental Sanitation. Are we to pay our tax and to clean our environment also. Let the tax they collect employ workers to clean the place.

falana should just shutup

Lagos State Government has clarified that the reintroduced monthly environmental sanitation in the state will be held every last Saturday of the month between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. but will be devoid of restrictions.

Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu made the clarification, at the weekend, during the “Symbolic Flag -Off of the Monthly Environmental Exercise in Lagos State,” held along Mushin-Agege Motor Road Corridor, Mushin.

He said that the observance would be the last Saturday of every month and would be monitored by state officials with appropriate sanctions meted out to sanitation offenders.

He added that the culture of environmental responsibility must become deeply embedded in residents’ lifestyles and all communities across the state.

cyberbro:
I strongly disagree with Baba Falz on this.

With the huge population of Lagos state, it is very necessary. Circle back to when there was environmental sanitation, Lagos was hardly flooded cos people cleared their drainages instead of waiting for the government to handle everything.

On the other hand, LAWMA needs to be overhauled. They are ineffective, some of their PSP truck drivers are drug addicts and their trucks are very dirty. I know of streets in Lagos (e.g. areas under Alimosho LGA) where LAWMA trucks hardly visit due to road issues, these are also some of the challenges with inner city roads in Lagos and Sanwo-Olu hasn't done much in that regard.

I concur with your opinions. Mr Falana should pls allow Lagod sanitation to function. Lagosian are very stubborn they will not observe the monthly sanitatiin if they allow free movement . There should be restriction of movement in order to be effective.
LAWMA has to be overhauled as you have stated. Imagine for good 4 months they did not show up in my estate. Some of us have made payment for a year.
Imagine abandoned refuse for 4 months , the entire community was litered with refuse. Lagos government needs to do somethibg about it as matter of urgency

cyberbro:
I strongly disagree with Baba Falz on this.

With the huge population of Lagos state, it is very necessary. Circle back to when there was environmental sanitation, Lagos was hardly flooded cos people cleared their drainages instead of waiting for the government to handle everything.

On the other hand, LAWMA needs to be overhauled. They are ineffective, some of their PSP truck drivers are drug addicts and their trucks are very dirty. I know of streets in Lagos (e.g. areas under Alimosho LGA) where LAWMA trucks hardly visit due to road issues, these are also some of the challenges with inner city roads in Lagos and Sanwo-Olu hasn't done much in that regard.

You miss the point sir.
Falana is not against sanitation.
He asked, why should movement be restricted on last Saturdays of every month which is a fundamental breach of humna rights when the state government has annual budget allocation of 265 billion naira for the same environmental sanitation.
Falana is using style to point at the corruption embeded in that huge amount of money for sanitation.

Baddest0007:
But the Greatest Governor of Lagos Fashola made Lagos Super Clean without Environmental Sanitation. Are we to pay our tax and to clean our environment also. Let the tax they collect employ workers to clean the place.

wrong


Environment sanitation cancelled by DIRTY AMBODE and lagos started dirty like him.

Omoboricash:
I concur with your opinions. Mr Falana should pls allow Lagod sanitation to function. Lagosian are very stubborn they will not observe the monthly sanitatiin if they allow free movement . There should be restriction of movement in order to be effective.
LAWMA has to be overhauled as you have stated. Imagine for good 4 months they did not show up in my estate. Some of us have made payment for a year.
Imagine abandoned refuse for 4 months , the entire community was litered with refuse. Lagos government needs to do somethibg about it as matter of urgency

Restriction of movement doesn't guarantee cleanliness especially in a state like lagos.
You are only telling people to take 2-3hrs home rest before they go out hustling again.
What Falana is saying is that, there's is an allocated amount of money for environmental sanitation in lagos state and the money should be use to employ more personnel and more equipment to clean the state.
Locking people up every last Saturday of the month all because of sanitation is an old practice. In fact it's breach on human right.

frog12:
falana should just shutup

KID, you wanted to get old ?

Baddest0007:
But the Greatest Governor of Lagos Fashola made Lagos Super Clean without Environmental Sanitation. Are we to pay our tax and to clean our environment also. Let the tax they collect employ workers to clean the place.

Exactly.
This is the point.
You can't tell me not to open my shop just because the environment is dirty when I am paying tax to the government to keep the same shop clean.
Falana is indirectly calling out the corruption there.

Baddest0007:
What he is saying is the environmental sanitation should be voluntary and people cannot be arrested because they have freedom of movement.

Good. Exactly 💯. God bless you

cyberbro:
I strongly disagree with Baba Falz on this.

With the huge population of Lagos state, it is very necessary. Circle back to when there was environmental sanitation, Lagos was hardly flooded cos people cleared their drainages instead of waiting for the government to handle everything.

On the other hand, LAWMA needs to be overhauled. They are ineffective, some of their PSP truck drivers are drug addicts and their trucks are very dirty. I know of streets in Lagos (e.g. areas under Alimosho LGA) where LAWMA trucks hardly visit due to road issues, these are also some of the challenges with inner city roads in Lagos and Sanwo-Olu hasn't done much in that regard.

What is LASG doing with trillions budget every year if it can't employ people to clear drains and gutters day & night in shifts, paid on the basis of 70k minimum wage?

What are the 20 LGAs doing with their share of 20% federation account, paid directly to them since 2024?

Do you expect the state and local governments to simply steal all the money


Any idea why London, Chicago, Paris, Toronto and other developed country's residents don't do environmental sanitation monthly for public/common areas?

dododawa1:
wrong


Environment sanitation cancelled by DIRTY AMBODE and lagos started dirty like him.

There was no environmental sanitation under Fashola. Or should I say it was not practiced religious ly. I went out without thinking of environmental sanitation under Fashola.

Ambode had no choice because the courts in 2015 said it was unconstitutional.

Jokay07:
Exactly.
This is the point.
You can't tell me not to open my shop just because the environment is dirty when I am paying tax to the government to keep the same shop clean.
Falana is indirectly calling out the corruption there.

I am not surprised. They will take your money, they will take your life and give you zero in return

anonimi:
What is LASG doing with trillions budget every year if it can't employ people to clear drains and gutters day & night in shifts, paid on the basis of 70k minimum wage?

What are the 20 LGAs doing with their share of 20% federation account, paid directly to them since 2024?

Do you expect the state and local governments to simply steal all the money


Any idea why London, Chicago, Paris, Toronto and other developed country's residents don't do environmental sanitation monthly for public/common areas?

Your own opinion is equally valid. We can both be correct on something while sharing our perspectives. If the interim solution is environmental sanitation just once a month, it's not a bad idea.

Jokay07:
You miss the point sir.
Falana is not against sanitation.
He asked, why should movement be restricted on last Saturdays of every month which is a fundamental breach of humna rights when the state government has annual budget allocation of 265 billion naira for the same environmental sanitation.
Falana is using style to point at the corruption embeded in that huge amount of money for sanitation.

Well, you're also right. That's another perspective.

Omoboricash:
I concur with your opinions. Mr Falana should pls allow Lagod sanitation to function. Lagosian are very stubborn they will not observe the monthly sanitatiin if they allow free movement . There should be restriction of movement in order to be effective.
LAWMA has to be overhauled as you have stated. Imagine for good 4 months they did not show up in my estate. Some of us have made payment for a year.
Imagine abandoned refuse for 4 months , the entire community was litered with refuse. Lagos government needs to do somethibg about it as matter of urgency

Nice to see someone who understands my point of view. Meanwhile LASG is equally culpable in the sorry state of Lagos environment cos they aren't doing much with the IGR they generate. The men in Alausa have a lot of questions to answer... But till the day of reckoning sha.

Baddest0007:
But the Greatest Governor of Lagos Fashola made Lagos Super Clean without Environmental Sanitation. Are we to pay our tax and to clean our environment also.

Let the tax they collect employ workers to clean the place.

May God bless you richly for this wise comment as we work harder to enlighten others around us and beyond on this mindset of governance expectations.

cyberbro:
Nice to see someone who understands my point of view. Meanwhile LASG is equally culpable in the sorry state of Lagos environment cos they aren't doing much with the IGR they generate.

The men in Alausa have a lot of questions to answer... But till the day of reckoning sha.

Please HOW will the day of reckoning for the rogue leaders arrive if educated people expect to do work that government has made them pay for already

Jokay07:
Restriction of movement doesn't guarantee cleanliness especially in a state like lagos.
You are only telling people to take 2-3hrs home rest before they go out hustling again.
What Falana is saying is that, there's is an allocated amount of money for environmental sanitation in lagos state and the money should be use to employ more personnel and more equipment to clean the state.
Locking people up every last Saturday of the month all because of sanitation is an old practice. In fact it's breach on human right.

Enforcement. When the sanitation officer inspect your environment and it ut not cleaned , they fine you. That was hownit was done then. We nigerians are very srubborn people. We need clean environment but we dont want to work towards it. Go yo Rwanda and check how the countrynis clean, how fo they do it. Forget about human right we are very stubborn people. Critical issues demand critical measures

cyberbro:
Nice to see someone who understands my point of view. Meanwhile LASG is equally culpable in the sorry state of Lagos environment cos they aren't doing much with the IGR they generate. The men in Alausa have a lot of questions to answer... But till the day of reckoning sha.

If oppositiin party should take over Lagos state, so many dirty deals would be revealed. IGR generated did not match the project or work done so far.
Alausa people ......hmmmmm let me just keep my mouth shut.

Omoboricash:
Enforcement. When the sanitation officer inspect your environment and it ut not cleaned , they fine you. That was hownit was done then. We nigerians are very srubborn people. We need clean environment but we dont want to work towards it. Go yo Rwanda and check how the countrynis clean, how fo they do it. Forget about human right we are very stubborn people. Critical issues demand critical measures

Human right is one thing, stubborn is another thing.
I want you to get my point.
And my point is, you can't stop me from going on my daily business just because my environment is dirty, when I am paying you every month to keep the same environment clean.

I suspect they coped it from Nigeria sef...

benardtotti:
Nigerians are very difficult to govern, the funny thing is this same man will go to dubai other developed places and compare their Cleanliness rate to that of Nigeria,
Does he know that Rwanda one of the cleanest countries in Africa do environmental sanitation?

The Japanese have been disciplined to clean after themselves and not wait for government, infact last world cup they went viral because of how they cleaned the stands where they sat and even the players cleaned up the dressing room after each game .

Lawlessness is so embedded in Nigerians that we dont even understand what personal development and discipline is .