Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has advised residents of Lagos State to ignore any restriction of movement linked to the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, insisting that there is no valid legal basis for limiting citizens’ movement during the period.
Falana maintained that residents are free to go about their normal activities, stating that no existing law enforces compulsory restriction during the sanitation exercise.
His position contrasts with that of the Lagos State Government, which has reiterated that the sanitation programme remains in effect and will be observed as scheduled. Authorities had 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 a court ruling had invalidated the exercise.
He said, “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.”
Wahab urged residents to disregard what he described as misinformation regarding the legality of the exercise.
The monthly sanitation initiative was reintroduced by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on March 14, when he led top government officials, including Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, in a cleanup exercise along Agege Motor Road in Mushin.
Falana, however, criticised the policy, particularly the restriction of movement during the exercise, describing it as unconstitutional and inconsistent with an existing court ruling.
He stated that, based on available information, the state had not formally reinstated any 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,” he said.
He added that participation in the cleaning exercise should be voluntary, not enforced.
Falana also noted that while residents are encouraged to clean their surroundings and cooperate with waste management authorities, any attempt to restrict movement is inconsistent with democratic principles.
He further argued that policies inherited from military-era governance, particularly those limiting freedom of movement, are no longer appropriate in a democratic system.
Falana added that the state’s commitment to environmental management is reflected in its budgetary allocation, citing N236 billion earmarked in the 2026 budget for waste management, drainage development, and environmental protection.
