Seventeen environmental offenders apprehended by the Lagoa Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) were arraigned on Thursday before the Magistrate Court sitting at Bolade, Oshodi, for urinating and defecating in public places.

The court found the defendants guilty and sentenced each offender to pay a fine of N40,000 or serve one month in prison.

"Let this serve as a clear reminder that open urination and defecation are environmental offences and serious public health risks. Lagos State will continue to enforce sanitation laws firmly to protect public health, preserve human dignity and maintain order in our communities," said Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab.

"We urge residents to make use of available public sanitation facilities and comply with environmental regulations. Cleanliness is a shared responsibility."