A fresh disagreement has emerged over the enforcement of movement restrictions during the monthly environmental sanitation in Lagos, as human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, said residents are free to go about their normal activities.
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Falana argued that there is no law backing any compulsory restriction of movement during the exercise. He maintained that participation remains voluntary, despite the state government’s position.
The Lagos State Government had earlier insisted that the sanitation exercise would hold on Saturday, between 6:30am and 8:30am, urging residents to stay indoors and clean their surroundings.
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The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, stated that no court ruling had stopped the exercise. According to him, the Court of Appeal affirmed the legality of the laws guiding environmental sanitation in the state.
However, Falana countered this position, saying available information shows that the government has not formally reintroduced compulsory sanitation with enforceable restrictions. He added that residents cannot be forced to remain indoors.
He said, “For the avoidance of doubt, the restriction of movement is voluntary and not compulsory.”
The senior advocate also criticised the policy. He described it as a holdover from military-era practices that infringe on citizens’ rights to free movement.
He, however, encouraged residents to cooperate with sanitation officials and take part in cleaning their environment, especially during the designated hours.
The disagreement comes as the state moves to revive the monthly sanitation culture, which was reintroduced earlier in March by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Despite the legal debate, the government has continued to stress that environmental cleanliness is a shared responsibility. It also noted that significant funds have been allocated in the 2026 budget for waste management, drainage, and cut protection.
Authorities have urged residents to support the initiative in the interest of public health, even as differing views persist over whether movement can be legally restricted during the exercise.
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