Pollution: Ondo Govt Cracks Down, Secures Remand of Suspected Environmental Offender, Seals Shopping Complex
The Ondo State Government has intensified the enforcement of environmental regulations, as Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa reaffirms his administration's unwavering commitment to maintaining a clean, safe and healthy environment for residents and visitors.
As part of the renewed enforcement drive, the government on Monday arraigned Mr. Olorunwa Sunday before a competent court and secured an order for his remand at the Olokuta Correctional Centre pending further proceedings in the case.
Government findings show that Mr. Olorunwa Sunday was contracted by the Olukayode Shopping Complex on Oba-Adesida Road, Akure, for the transportation and disposal of the fecal waste being generated by the Shopping Complex indiscriminately, an act which constitutes an environmental offence.
The Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Tob Loko, disclosed that following the interception of the substances, the government subjected them to comprehensive laboratory analysis to ascertain their nature and composition.
He said the laboratory examination revealed that the substances were fecal materials in substantial quantities.
Consequently, the state government has, therefore, sealed the Olukayode Shopping Complex on Oba-Adesida Road, Akure, following a sealing order issued by Chief Magistrate Kolawole A. Aro over alleged environmental offences.
The offences relate to the filling and manual evacuation of soakaway pit in a manner allegedly capable of generating offensive odour and constituting a threat to public health, contrary to and punishable under Section 9(2)(2) of the Waste Management Authority Law, Cap. 159, Laws of Ondo State 2002.
The shopping complex is also alleged to have engaged the services of an unregistered private service provider to evacuate the filled soakaway pit, an act allegedly capable of causing outbreak of disease and contrary to and punishable under Section 9(2)(7) of the same law.
Although the defendant, Olukayode Shopping Complex, was not represented in court at the time of the proceedings, the Chief Magistrate, having considered the sensitivity of the alleged offences and the overriding need to protect public health, ordered that the premises be sealed pending further proceedings.
The matter was subsequently adjourned until Thursday, 17 September 2026, for further hearing.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, SAN, in line with the statutory responsibilities of his office, said the Ministry of Justice would deploy all lawful measures available under the extant environmental and other applicable legislations to ensure that alleged environmental offences are properly investigated and prosecuted and, where established before the court, appropriately sanctioned.
The prosecution of these cases forms part of the broader enforcement measures by the state government aimed at preventing activities capable of polluting the environment, endangering public health or compromising the well-being of communities.
The government reiterates that it will continue to enforce environmental laws and will not hesitate to institute appropriate legal proceedings against persons suspected of violating the state's environmental regulations.
Essentially, the government urges residents, businesses and other stakeholders to comply strictly with all environmental laws and regulations.
This is a warning: henceforth, violations of environmental regulations will attract appropriate enforcement measures and legal action.
Allen Sowore, Esq.
Special Adviser to the Governor
(Communication & Strategy)
15 September 2026
Post a Comment