pregnant woman assaulted by Edo Sanitation Taskforce
Benin City, Nigeria May 31, 2025
The Edo State Government has come under fire for reintroducing movement restrictions as part of its monthly environmental sanitation exercise, in direct defiance of longstanding court rulings declaring such actions unconstitutional.
Between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. today, residents across the state were ordered to remain indoors and commercial activities halted under a directive issued by the Ministry of Environment. However, legal experts, civil rights activists, and opposition figures say the policy lacks legal foundation and amounts to a clear violation of citizens’ rights.
In 2015, the Court of Appeal in Lagos delivered a landmark judgment that outlawed the restriction of movement during environmental sanitation hours. The court held that no government circular or administrative directive could override the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of movement. Justice Ugochukwu Ogakwu, who read the lead judgment, described the policy as a gross violation of the Constitution.
Despite this binding precedent, Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration has proceeded to enforce the controversial order. In a published statement by the government’s press secretary, the administration defended its decision, arguing that waiting for a legal framework would delay efforts to clean the state.
The press secretary stated, “We cannot wait for legislation before taking action to protect our environment. That would be too slow.”
Legal analysts have strongly rejected that argument. “This is a dangerous precedent,” said a senior constitutional lawyer in Benin. “The Constitution cannot be suspended for convenience. Court decisions, especially at the appellate level, are binding and must be respected.”
The Edo State Government’s stance comes amid a similar legal battle in Lagos State, where Senior Advocate of Nigeria Ebun Olu Adegboruwa has taken Governor Babajide Sanwo Olu to the Supreme Court over plans to revive sanitation day movement restrictions. That case is still pending before the apex court.
Critics say Edo’s enforcement of a policy both the Federal High Court and Appeal Court have ruled as unconstitutional is reckless and undermines the judiciary.
Governor Okpebholo has also faced criticism for a previous action that drew condemnation from legal authorities. In December 2024, he approached the Edo State House of Assembly to suspend elected local government chairmen in Edo State, despite a Supreme Court ruling affirming that such actions are unconstitutional. The Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, issued a legal opinion declaring the governor’s decision null and void. The Edo State Government ignored the directive.
“These actions are part of a worrying pattern,” said a former state lawmaker, Hon. Destiny Enabulele. “The governor seems determined to act outside the bounds of the law, and this raises serious questions about his respect for democratic governance. The Judiciary must take notice of the serial disregard for judicial pronouncements Sen. Okpebholo is showing”
Sanitation Taskforce Accused of Assaulting Citizens
Further public outrage has followed reports of human rights abuses during the enforcement of the sanitation lockdown. Videos circulated online show members of the sanitation task force assaulting civilians, including a pregnant woman, for allegedly violating the stay-at-home directive.
Civil society groups have condemned the incidents, calling for a full investigation and accountability for the perpetrators.
As the backlash grows, there is increasing pressure on the federal authorities and the judiciary to rein in what critics describe as a breakdown of lawful governance in Edo State.
Analysts warn that unless the courts and institutions respond firmly, the actions of the Edo State Government could embolden other states to flout constitutional norms and undermine the rule of law.