Nigerians have reacted to the sentencing of a Lagos woman to prison for dumping refuse in a drain.
The Lagos Waste Management Authority said in a statement on Thursday that the woman, Nelly Monday, received a one-month prison term for dumping refuse in the drain.
Ms Monday, 53, was arrested in Meiran on Wednesday and convicted of the offence.
“She was arraigned before the magistrate court sitting at Bolade, Oshodi, where she pleaded guilty to the offence and was sentenced to one month in prison,” it stated.
LAWMA warned residents against indiscriminate waste disposal, particularly dumping refuse in drainage channels and other unauthorised locations, noting such acts are environmental offences that attract sanctions under the law.
“The authority will continue to work with relevant enforcement agencies to identify and sanction environmental offenders across Lagos,” said the statement.
Meanwhile, the development triggered mixed reactions from Nigerians on social media.
While some argued that the imprisonment was unnecessary and too harsh, others advocated stricter punishment to deter others.
“I don’t know, but in my opinion, this is like killing a mosquito with a sledgehammer. The punishment, in my opinion, seems too harsh. I would have loved a situation where such a fellow would have been made to clean the drains or sweep the streets for like one week under supervision of LAWMA officials,” a Facebook user Adebisi Oluwafemi said.
Segun Ashola said, “She needs to work with LAWMA for one day in each local government in Lagos to teach others not to grant her bail after two days.”
“The Woman’s action is quite condemnable, and it’s nice she had to face the law, but we were told the penalty for dumping refuse into a drainage channel in Lagos is a fine of ₦250,000 or up to three months in prison. Was she given the option of a fine, or was she thrown into prison to prove a point? This somehow looks like using a bomb to kill a mosquito,” Onum Emele stated.
Nnaemeka Ogbu said, “Offence comes with punishment, as the law says, no doubt. Her punishment will deter others from dumping waste into drains. LAWMA should also step up in picking up waste in our communities.”
“One month is not a punishment. She should have been given six months, without the option of a fine. That would definitely serve as a deterrent to others,” said Olatunji Ishola.
Oluwasheun Smith commented, “Why one month? You fell my hand. I was expecting at least 6 months.”
“One month? Bawo, even this Lagos State is a joke. The gravity of that offence warrants six months to a year imprisonment, to be candid,” stated Moneer Alao.
