Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has asked residents of Lagos to disregard the restriction of movement announced for the monthly environmental sanitation exercise.
Falana said there is no law backing compulsory restriction of movement during the exercise, insisting that residents are at liberty to go about their normal activities.
“Residents are at liberty to carry on their legitimate business during the sanitation exercise,” he said.
He added that any restriction during the exercise is voluntary and not compulsory.
However, the Lagos State Government maintained that the sanitation exercise remains valid and will proceed as scheduled.
The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said no court ruling has invalidated the programme.
“No court pronouncement has invalidated this exercise… the laws used for its implementation are legitimate and constitutional,” Wahab stated.
The government urged residents to stay at home and participate in the exercise between 6:30 am and 8:30 am on Saturday.
Falana, however, described the reintroduction of movement restriction as unconstitutional and a throwback to military-era policies.
He argued that Lagos should not enforce policies that infringe on citizens’ freedom of movement.
“The Lagos State Government cannot afford to continue with the military legacy of restricting the movement of citizens,” he told The PUNCH.
Despite his criticism, Falana acknowledged that the government has continued to encourage voluntary participation in sanitation activities.
He urged residents to cooperate with officials of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) in maintaining a clean environment.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had earlier announced the return of the monthly sanitation exercise in March, urging residents to take environmental cleanliness seriously.
