A Magistrate Court sitting in Lagos has convicted and sentenced three men for assaulting officials of the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), also known as Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), during an enforcement operation.
The convicted individuals—Farouk Olori (25), Ogundare Oluwatobiloba (27), and Taoreed Alimi (20)—were arraigned before Magistrate Ariyo of the Special Offences Court on a three-count charge bordering on breach of peace, obstruction of lawful duty, and unlawful assault under the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
The incident occurred during an enforcement exercise in the Ipodo area of Lagos, where LAGESC officials were clearing illegal trading activities along Olowu Street following complaints from residents over environmental violations and obstruction of movement.
According to the Corps Marshal of LAGESC, Major Olaniyi Cole (retd.), abatement notices were earlier issued to traders to ensure voluntary compliance, but enforcement became necessary after the warnings were ignored.
He said the suspects attacked operatives during the operation, leading to the arrest of three individuals, while one officer sustained injuries and was treated promptly.
In her ruling, Magistrate Ariyo sentenced two of the defendants to one week in custody with an option of community service, while the third defendant received a one-year jail term based on the evidence presented in court.
Reacting to the judgment, the Corps Marshal described the ruling as a deterrent against attacks on law enforcement officers, urging residents to comply with environmental regulations to avoid similar prosecutions.
