Human rights lawyer Femi Falana criticizes Lagos State’s plan to reintroduce the monthly sanitation exercise, citing a Court of Appeal ruling that declared movement restrictions unconstitutional.
Femi Falana Slams Lagos Government Over Planned Return of Monthly Sanitation Exercise
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has criticised the Lagos State Government over its decision to revive the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, describing the move as unconstitutional and a regression to practices associated with Nigeria’s past military rule.
In a statement released on Sunday titled “Reintroducing Monthly Sanitation Exercise in Lagos State is Contemptuous,” Falana argued that restricting residents’ movement for several hours every month violates constitutional rights and contradicts an existing court ruling.
Concerns Over Movement Restrictions During Sanitation Hours
According to Falana, the planned policy would limit movement for three hours on the last Saturday of each month, a measure he believes cannot be justified given the significant financial allocation for environmental management in the state.
The senior advocate pointed out that ₦236 billion was set aside for environmental projects in the 2026 Lagos State Appropriation Law, covering areas such as waste management, sanitation, and urban environmental services.
He stressed that the government should instead invest these resources in practical solutions.
“Rather than spending time and resources enforcing an unlawful sanitation exercise, the government should employ additional sanitation workers and deploy mechanical sweepers for large debris and vacuum machines for dust and litter,” Falana stated.
Court of Appeal Ruling on Sanitation Movement Ban
Falana also referenced the landmark case involving Faith Okafor and the Lagos State Government, which was decided by the Court of Appeal of Nigeria in 2016.
The court ruled that restricting citizens’ movement during sanitation hours was illegal and unconstitutional.
Background of the Case
The case began in 2013 when Okafor was arrested for violating the sanitation directive by moving around during restricted hours. Authorities subsequently arraigned her in court, where she was convicted and fined ₦2,000.
She challenged the decision at the Lagos State High Court, claiming that her fundamental rights—particularly personal liberty and freedom of movement—had been violated. However, the High Court dismissed her claim.
Unsatisfied with the judgment, Okafor appealed the decision, and the Court of Appeal later ruled in her favour.
Court Warns Against Executive Directives Without Legal Backing
In delivering the judgment, Biobell Abraham Georgewill, one of the justices on the panel, emphasized that directives from a governor cannot override constitutional rights if they are not supported by written law.
He noted that allowing such directives to stand could lead to abuse of power by government officials.
According to the judge, democracy thrives when both leaders and citizens respect the rule of law rather than acting on personal directives or arbitrary authority.
Falana Warns Against Ignoring Court Decision
Falana concluded that any attempt by the Lagos State Government to revive the sanitation exercise with movement restrictions would effectively disregard the Court of Appeal’s ruling.
He warned that reintroducing the policy could be interpreted as contempt of court and urged the authorities to explore alternative, lawful strategies for maintaining environmental cleanliness in the state.