The Lagos State Government has defended the reintroduction of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, insisting that limited movement restrictions during the exercise are lawful and do not violate residents’ fundamental rights.

 The state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), yesterday clarified that recent media reports suggesting otherwise misrepresented the position of the law.

He said the renewed enforcement, backed by legal clarification from the government, signals a push to strengthen environmental management while balancing public safety and constitutional rights.

 According to him, a subsisting judgment of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria delivered on November 23, 2021, upheld the legality of the environmental sanitation exercise in Lagos State.

 Pedro explained that in the case involving Ebun Adegboruwa (SAN), the appellate court ruled that the exercise was backed by law and did not breach the applicant’s fundamental rights.

 He noted that although Adegboruwa challenged the ruling at the Supreme Court, the judgment of the Court of Appeal remains valid, as it has not been set aside.

 “The environmental sanitation exercise in Lagos State was declared lawful, and the court held that the applicant’s fundamental rights were not violated.”

 The Attorney-General further argued that there is no existing judgment restraining the state government from implementing controlled movement during sanitation hours.

 He dismissed reliance on an earlier Court of Appeal decision in Faith Okafor vs Lagos State Government, describing it as no longer the prevailing legal position, having been overtaken by the 2021 ruling.

 Pedro maintained that the current policy does not amount to a blanket restriction on movement but rather a controlled system designed to ensure public safety and effective sanitation.

 Under the arrangement, residents are free to move through roads and streets not affected by ongoing cleaning activities, while access may be temporarily restricted in areas where sanitation officials are at work.

 He explained that such measures are necessary to protect both residents and sanitation workers from potential harm, particularly from vehicular movement during the exercise.

 “The government has only introduced controlled movement to safeguard lives and ensure the success of the sanitation exercise,” he added.

 The state government therefore reiterated its commitment to maintaining a clean and healthy environment, urging residents to cooperate with authorities during the exercise.

“Environmental sanitation exercises, which were previously a regular feature in Lagos, are aimed at improving hygiene, reducing waste and preventing disease outbreaks in the densely populated state.”