Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has said Lagos residents are not legally bound to remain indoors during the state’s monthly environmental sanitation period, arguing that no law currently empowers the government to restrict movement.
His position follows renewed enforcement efforts by the Lagos State Government, which asked residents to stay at home between 6:30am and 8:30am on Saturday for the exercise. Officials maintained that the programme remains lawful and backed by a favourable court ruling.
In a statement issued ahead of the exercise, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, dismissed claims that a court had stopped the initiative.
He said the state secured a judgment at the appellate court affirming the legality of the environmental sanitation laws and urged the public to ignore contrary reports.
The sanitation exercise was recently revived after Babajide Sanwo-Olu publicly led state officials on a clean-up inspection in Mushin in March, signalling a return to the long-standing monthly routine observed on the last Saturday of each month.
Falana, however, contended that while residents are encouraged to tidy their surroundings during the period, participation cannot be enforced through movement restrictions. According to him, any decision to remain indoors is voluntary, not compulsory.
He added that citizens should cooperate with waste management officials during the two-hour window, especially in proper refuse disposal, but stressed that such cooperation must not come at the expense of fundamental freedom of movement.
The senior advocate also criticised what he described as a continuation of outdated practices from military rule, insisting that democratic governance should not rely on measures that limit citizens’ rights.
Falana pointed out that the state’s environmental goals are already reflected in its financial commitments, noting that a significant allocation in the 2026 budget has been earmarked for waste management, drainage and environmental protection projects.
