In the early hours of Saturday, May 17, 2025, an illegal waste disposal incident rocked the upscale Lekki Phase 1 neighborhood, prompting swift action by the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) in collaboration with the Lekki Estate Residents Association (LERA).
The Chairman of LERA alerted authorities after a white Ford van bearing Abuja registration number GWA 136E was caught red-handed dumping refuse indiscriminately along Durosimi-Etti Street. The vehicle was traced to DONALD restaurant, a known nightlife establishment located on Road 14 within the estate. The suspects, who were caught in the act, were immediately apprehended by LERA’s Chief Security Officer and held at the LERA Secretariat.
It was reported that the individuals attempted to bribe the estate’s security team with a cash offer of ₦100,000—a move that was firmly rejected, reinforcing LERA’s zero-tolerance stance on environmental violations.
Upon receiving the report, the Managing Director of LAWMA, Mr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, dispatched the agency’s Monitoring and Compliance team to the scene. The team took custody of the suspects and proceeded to seal DONALD restaurant for multiple environmental infractions, citing clear violations of the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017.
This incident, according to LAWMA, is not an isolated case but part of a recurring trend where commercial establishments operating within Lekki Phase 1 sidestep proper waste management protocols. Several businesses have yet to register with their designated Private Sector Participant (PSP) waste operators, often opting instead to engage in clandestine waste dumping during off-peak hours.
LAWMA praised the vigilance and swift action taken by LERA’s Executive Committee and security personnel, emphasizing that their firm cooperation was instrumental in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
The agency has assured residents that the suspects will be prosecuted in accordance with existing environmental laws. LAWMA further reiterated its commitment to enforcing strict sanitation and waste management standards across Lagos, while urging residents and business owners to play their part in building a cleaner, safer, and more livable city.
The incident serves as a stark reminder that environmental responsibility is a shared duty, and defaulters will face the full weight of the law.
