Harmful Waste Disposal;
Court Remands Man, Seals off Popular Shopping Plaza
Ondo State Government has sealed Olukayode shopping plaza in Akure following a Court order after the Ministry of Environment presented evidence that the trading centre evacuated filled up soak away pit manually in a manner capable of causing offensive odour to the public and causing an outbreak of diseases.
The Court also heard that the unregistered private service provider which carried out the evacuation dumped the waste unhygienically on the road side along Oba Ile- Airport road causing obnoxious odour to the public health.
While sealing the trading centre, officials of the Ministry of Environment led by the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Akinluyi Omotola said the ministry approached the court after it got credible reports that a vehicle conveying substances emitting an offensive odour had been intercepted.
He said a patriotic citizen who was acting on credible intelligence provided information that led to the trailing and interception of the vehicle, and the driver was immediately handed over to the Police for further questioning and appropriate action.
According to him, the driver identified as Olorunwa Sunday, a native of Delta State and resident in Oke-Aro said he was contracted to dispose of the suspected malodorous chemical substance from Olukayode house at any convenient location.
Speaking on the development the Commissioner for Environment, Dr Tob Loko assured that the Ondo State Government remains committed to taking all necessary measures to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of residents, adding that proper inspection of the premises including the septic tank will be carried out and premises fumigated by environmental professionals to ensure safety of the occupants and general public.
Although the defendant (Olukayode shopping plaza) was not present in court, the Judge said that because of the sensitivity of the offence and for the sake of public health issues, the plaza was ordered to be sealed up and the matter was adjourned till Thursday 17th September, 2026 for further hearing.
The court also ordered that the driver of the vehicle conveying the harmful substance be remanded at Olokuta correctional facility.
