Man in Viral Video Dumping Waste on Alapere Bridge Remanded in Prison

Yomi Durojaye 

… Offender remanded in Kirikiri till June 26

A joint enforcement team, comprising officials of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC/KAI), has arrested Mr. Ogunbadejo Olawale, a resident of No. 25 Ajiboye Street, Alapere, Ketu, caught in a viral video dumping waste on Alapere link bridge, Ketu. He has been remanded at the Kirikiri Prison by the Environmental and Special Offences Court, sitting at Oshodi, with case adjourned till 26th June 2025.



Speaking on the matter, the Honourable Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, expressed deep concern over the continued disregard for environmental regulations by some residents, emphasising that the state government would not relent in its efforts to identify and prosecute individuals who violate sanitation laws.

He said, “The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to environmental enforcement with the arrest of Mr. Ogunbadejo Olawale, a resident of No 25, Ajiboye Street, Alapere, Ketu, for illegal waste dumping. The arrest was effected by a joint enforcement operation carried out by the operatives of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (KAI), following credible surveillance and tip-offs from members of the community.”

Wahab stressed that environmental enforcement would be intensified across all local government areas, noting that surveillance activities were being upgraded and that defaulters would be prosecuted without hesitation, warning that the era of impunity was over, as no one is above the law.

“We have launched a multi-agency collaboration involving LAWMA, LAGESC/KAI, and other stakeholders to strengthen monitoring and enforcement. Let this serve as a stern warning to others: Residents must comply with the state’s waste management guidelines or face legal consequences,” he added.

The Commissioner urged community leaders, residents, and environmental volunteers to remain vigilant and continue to work with the state in reporting infractions, assuring that such civic efforts would be matched with swift action from government agencies.

Confirming the development, the Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, condemned the offender’s action and reiterated the Authority’s unwavering resolve to stamp out illegal waste disposal practices.

“This arrest is a strong message to those who persist in sabotaging the state’s environmental agenda. Lagos is not a dumping ground. We have invested heavily in infrastructure and personnel to maintain cleanliness across the metropolis. Anyone caught polluting public spaces will face the full weight of the law. The days of indiscriminate waste disposal are over,” he said.

Gbadegesin also acknowledged the crucial role played by residents of the Alapere community in bringing the incident to light, calling it a prime example of citizen-driven environmental vigilance.

“The success of our enforcement drive is deeply rooted in community partnership. I want to sincerely thank the residents of Alapere for their vigilance. Their input led to this arrest, and it demonstrates that when citizens and government work together, positive change is inevitable. Let us remain committed to protecting our environment for today and for future generations,” he added.

He assured Lagosians that LAWMA, in collaboration with relevant sister agencies, would continue to scale up enforcement, advocacy, and community engagement initiatives to ensure total compliance with waste management laws.

The LAWMA boss appealed to residents to embrace proper waste disposal practices, use PSP operators, and avoid patronising outlawed cart pushers, warning that all offenders would be tracked, arrested, and prosecuted as part of the state’s holistic environmental management strategy.

Also speaking, the Corps Marshal of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC/KAI), Major Olaniyi Olatunbosun Cole (Rtd), stated that the law would continue to catch up with individuals engaging in acts that deface and endanger the environment, describing the suspect’s action as reckless and counterproductive to the state’s environmental sustainability efforts.

“We are scaling up patrols and intelligence gathering, especially in areas prone to illegal dumping. No one who violates environmental laws will go unpunished. The long arm of the law will find you. I urge all residents to desist from indiscriminate waste disposal, as this threatens public health, damages infrastructure, and erodes the government’s commitment to a cleaner Lagos,” he said.

He further encouraged Lagosians to be law-abiding and to make use of approved waste disposal services to avoid legal consequences.

For waste management-related issues, complaints, and inquiries, please call LAWMA’s toll-free numbers: 080000LAWMA (08000052962), 07080601020, and 617, or send an email to info@lawma.gov.ng.

Kadiri, Folashade (Mrs.)
Director, Public Affairs
22/05/2025

Seun Egbegbe spends 20th month in prison, appears in court today

Oladimeji Ramon

For failure to meet the N5m bail granted him by the Federal High Court in Lagos, Nollywood film-maker, Olajide Kazeem, better known as Seun Egbegbe, has so far spent about 20 months in prison custody.

The erstwhile Lagos socialist has been kept away since February 10, 2017, after he was arraigned by the police for alleged serial frauds involving N39, 098,100, $90,000 and £12,550.

The police alleged that Egbegbe fraudulently obtained the money from no fewer than 40 Bureau De Change operators in Lagos over a period of two years – 2015 to 2017.

He was said to have allegedly swindled the BDC operators by falsely representing to them that he had naira to change into foreign currencies and vice versa.

Egbegbe, alongside one  Oyekan Ayomide, was first arraigned on February 10, 2017 before Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo, on 36 counts bordering on advance fee fraud.

The charge sheet was subsequently amended twice, with the counts eventually increased to 40 and three other defendants – Lawal Kareem, Olalekan Yusuf and Muyideen Shoyombo – added.

The prosecuting counsel for the police, Innocent Anyigor, said Egbegbe and the other defendants acted contrary to Section 8 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006 and were liable to be punished under Section 1(3) of the same Act.

They, however, pleaded not guilty.

On February 24, 2017, Justice Oguntoyinbo granted each of them N5m bail with two sureties in like sum.

The judge said one of the sureties must be a civil servant on at least Level 16 and must own a landed property in Lagos State.

The surety, the court said, must deposit the Certificate of Occupancy of the landed property in the custody of the court.

Both sureties were to swear to affidavit of means while their addresses were to be verified by the court registrar.

Justice Oguntoyinbo ordered that the defendants should be remanded in the prison custody until they meet the bail conditions.

About 20 months after the bail was granted, Egbegbe, who was known for lavish spending, has, however, remained in the Ikoyi Prison custody, as he has not been able to meet the bail conditions.

The police prosecutor, Anyigor, had told the court that he had no fewer than 40 witnesses, including the BDC operators, who would testify against Egbegbe and his co-defendants in court.

On March 10, 2017, over 30 BDC operators stormed the court for the trial.

So far, the prosecution has called four witnesses.

The trial had been slowed down sometimes due to inability of investigating police officers, who were listed as witnesses, to attend the court.

At other times, the case was stalled because the Hausa BDC operators, who were listed as witnesses, complained of inability to either speak or understand English language and an interpreter had to be arranged.

The case was last heard on November 1, 2018 and it is billed to resume on Monday (today) for continuation of trial.

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