Seven young men have been arraigned before the Special Offences (Mobile) Court sitting in Ikeja Magisterial District for allegedly assaulting enforcement operatives of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) during an environmental enforcement operation in the state.
The defendants, Olamilekan Abdullahi (21), Akeem Olamilekan (24), Frank Tom (25), Sakiru Jamiu (20), Emmanuel Abiodun (41), Olarewanju Onyowale (35) and Taiwo Yusuf (30), were apprehended by LAWMA enforcement personnel on March 8, 2026, around the Moshalashi Jimoh axis on Lagos Island Local Government Area of the state.
As gathered, the seven young men attacked the LAWMA staff during a routine monitoring exercise against indiscriminate waste disposal across Lagos.
The Guild learnt that the suspects allegedly attacked the officials while they were carrying out enforcement activities aimed at curbing environmental violations in the area.
On Wednesday, it was gathered that the defendants were subsequently arraigned yesterday before the Special Offences (Mobile) Court in Ikeja in the matter titled: Attorney General of Lagos State v. Olamilekan Abdullahi & 6 Others.
The prosecution brought a five-count charge against the defendants, bordering on conduct likely to cause breach of peace, indiscriminate dumping of refuse at an unapproved location, failure to patronize an approved Private Sector Participant (PSP) waste operator, obstruction of officers in the discharge of their duties, and assault.
All seven defendants pleaded not guilty after the charges were read to them inside the court.
Following their plea, the court admitted them to bail in the sum of N200,000 each with two responsible sureties. The court stipulated that one surety must be a recognized community leader while the other must be a gainfully employed relative.
Aside from that, the court adjourned the case until April 24, 2026, for commencement of the trial.
Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, the defendants were remanded in a correctional facility.
Meanwhile, LAWMA warned that obstruction or assault of its enforcement personnel constitutes a serious offence under the environmental laws of Lagos State.
The agency reiterated its commitment to maintaining environmental sanitation across the state, stressing that any acts capable of undermining enforcement operations would be firmly addressed through appropriate legal channels.
