Two brothers have been remanded at the Oke-Kura Correctional Centre in Ilorin after opting for imprisonment instead of paying a ₦2,000 fine imposed for violating the monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Kwara State.
According to Diamond88.7FM, the brothers, Yahaya Haruna and Semiu Hameed, were arrested on Saturday during the statewide environmental sanitation exercise for allegedly loitering and failing to participate in the mandatory cleanup.
They were apprehended by officials enforcing compliance with the sanitation exercise and subsequently arraigned before a mobile court sitting at Oja-Oba in Ilorin.
During the proceedings, the prosecution told the court that the defendants were found moving around during the restricted sanitation hours without engaging in any environmental sanitation activity, contrary to the state’s environmental sanitation regulations.
After hearing the case, the presiding magistrate, Aluko, found both defendants guilty and gave them the option of paying a ₦2,000 fine each or serving a custodial sentence at the Oke-Kura Correctional Centre.
However, the two brothers reportedly declined to pay the fine and instead chose to be remanded at the correctional facility.
The monthly environmental sanitation exercise is organised by the Kwara State Government to promote environmental cleanliness, improve public hygiene, and prevent health hazards across communities.
Authorities have repeatedly warned residents to comply with sanitation directives, stressing that anyone found violating the exercise would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.