An Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court in Isabo, on Friday, sentenced 14 residents to 14 days in the correctional centre for indiscriminately dumping refuse on public roads and in drainages.

The convicts are Soji Oloyede, Dayo Fasola, Maria Ogundimu, Ajoke Omotoke, Mustapha Kehinde, Bolanle Akingbola, and Simbiat Idowu.

Others are Adeola Mustapha, Anu Adesanya, Ajoke Akinola, Chidinms Innocent, Ismail Ali, Adetola Meshioye and Rasidat Taiwo.

The convicts had pleaded guilty to the two-count charge of unlawful refuse dumping and accumulation of waste on public roads and drains levelled against them.

Delivering judgment, Magistrate O.O. Sam-Obaleye sentenced each of the defendants to 14 days in the correctional centre.

The magistrate, however, gave the convicts an option of N10,000 fine each after they pleaded guilty to the charges.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Evelyn Motim, told the court that the convicts committed the offences on August 6, between 6:30 a.m. and 8:05 a.m., in different parts of Abeokuta.

Ms Motim said the convicts were arrested by public health officials during a routine early morning inspection/patrol.

She said that the defendants dumped refuse on public roads which emitted offensive odour and attracted flies capable of spreading diseases, including cholera.

She added that they also accumulated and disposed of refuse on public roads and drains, thereby exposing the areas to flooding and endangering lives and property.

The prosecutor said the offences were committed at Idi-Aba, Ago-Oko, Abiola Way, Sapon, Isale-Igbein, Oke-Ijeun, Olokuta, Imo, Oke-Itokun, Ijaiye, Obafemi, Garage, Elite and Grammar School areas of Abeokuta.

According to her, the offences contravened Section 34(1) of the Ogun State Waste Management Authority Law, 2020, and relevant provisions of the Ogun State Public Health Law, 2020. 

(NAN)