Human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, has condemned the restriction of movement imposed on residents by the Lagos State Government during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise held on Saturday, April 25, 2026, describing it as illegal and unconstitutional.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Adegboruwa said Lagosians were compelled to remain indoors under the guise of sanitation enforcement, alleging that the government deployed law enforcement agencies, officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, health officers, and other operatives to harass and intimidate residents, thereby infringing on their fundamental right to freedom of movement.
He challenged the state government to make public any existing law authorising such restrictions, noting that no valid law currently permits the enforcement of movement limitations for sanitation purposes in Lagos State.
According to him, reliance on an alleged 2017 health law that has not been published or subjected to public scrutiny raises serious legal concerns.
Adegboruwa further criticised the policy as morally unjustifiable, arguing that a government struggling with effective waste management, water supply, and public safety lacks the basis to enforce compliance through coercion.
He stressed that environmental cleanliness should be promoted through awareness and responsible governance, not intimidation.
The senior advocate also described the sanitation directive as outdated and inconsistent with modern urban management practices, stating that a mega city like Lagos should adopt globally accepted standards rather than resorting to what he termed “relics of dictatorial policies.”
He maintained that the compulsory stay-at-home order on the last Saturday of every month is unconstitutional and advised residents that they should not face penalties for disregarding what he called an unlawful directive.
Adegboruwa concluded by urging the government to prioritise effective policy implementation, transparency, and respect for citizens’ rights in its approach to environmental sanitation and public administration.
