Femi Falana has urged residents of Lagos State to disregard any restriction of movement linked to the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, insisting that there is no legal basis for limiting citizens’ movement during the period.
The senior advocate maintained that residents are free to go
about their normal activities, stressing that no law currently enforces
compulsory restriction during the exercise.
His position contrasts with that of the Lagos State
Government, which on Friday reaffirmed that the sanitation programme remains in
force and will be observed as scheduled. Authorities advised residents to
remain indoors and participate in the exercise set for Saturday, April 25,
between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.
In a statement posted on X, the Commissioner for the
Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, dismissed claims that the
exercise had been nullified by a court ruling.
“No court pronouncement has invalidated this exercise. The
state proceeded to the Court of Appeal, and judgment was delivered in our
favour. The court affirmed that the laws used for the implementation and
enforcement of environmental sanitation are legitimate and constitutional,” he
said.
Wahab called on residents to ignore what he described as
misinformation regarding the legality of the exercise.
Recall that the monthly sanitation initiative was
reintroduced by Babajide Sanwo-Olu on March 14, when he led top government
officials, including Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, in a cleanup exercise at
Agege Motor Road in Mushin.
However, Falana criticised the policy, particularly the
practice of restricting movement for several hours on the last Saturday of each
month, describing it as unconstitutional and inconsistent with an existing
court ruling.
Speaking further, he said available information indicated
that the state had not formally reinstated a compulsory restriction regime.
“From the information at my disposal, the Lagos State
Government has not reintroduced compulsory monthly sanitation exercise.
“To that extent, residents are at liberty to carry on their
legitimate business during the sanitation exercise as the government has not
restricted their movement in any manner whatsoever.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the restriction of movement is
voluntary and not compulsory,” he stated.
He acknowledged, however, that the government continues to
encourage residents to clean their surroundings within the designated period
and to cooperate with officials of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority
in proper waste disposal.
Falana argued that policies rooted in past military-era
practices, particularly those that limit freedom of movement, are no longer
suitable in a democratic setting.
“The Lagos State Government cannot afford to continue with
the military legacy of restricting the movement of citizens,” he said.
He added that the state’s commitment to environmental
management is already evident in its budgetary allocations, noting that N236
billion was earmarked in the 2026 budget for waste management, drainage
development and environmental protection.
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