Falana urges Lagos residents to ignore movement restriction for sanitation

Femi Falana has urged residents of Lagos State to disregard any restriction of movement linked to the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, insisting that there is no legal basis for limiting citizens’ movement during the period.

The senior advocate maintained that residents are free to go about their normal activities, stressing that no law currently enforces compulsory restriction during the exercise.

His position contrasts with that of the Lagos State Government, which on Friday reaffirmed that the sanitation programme remains in force and will be observed as scheduled. Authorities 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 the exercise had been nullified by a court ruling.

“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,” he said.

Wahab called on residents to ignore what he described as misinformation regarding the legality of the exercise.

DAILY POST recalls that the monthly sanitation initiative was reintroduced by Babajide Sanwo-Olu on March 14, when he led top government officials, including Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, in a cleanup exercise at Agege Motor Road in Mushin.

However, Falana criticised the policy, particularly the practice of restricting movement for several hours on the last Saturday of each month, describing it as unconstitutional and inconsistent with an existing court ruling.

Speaking further, he said available information indicated that the state had not formally reinstated a 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.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the restriction of movement is voluntary and not compulsory,” he stated.

He acknowledged, however, that the government continues to encourage residents to clean their surroundings within the designated period and to cooperate with officials of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority in proper waste disposal.

Falana argued that policies rooted in past military-era practices, particularly those that limit freedom of movement, are no longer suitable in a democratic setting.

“The Lagos State Government cannot afford to continue with the military legacy of restricting the movement of citizens,” he said.

He added that the state’s commitment to environmental management is already evident in its budgetary allocations, noting that N236 billion was earmarked in the 2026 budget for waste management, drainage development and environmental protection.