A mobile court of the Bauchi State Environmental Sanitation Agency (BSEPA) has sentenced one Yusuf Ladan Bara to three months imprisonment for violating sanitation law of the state.
Yusuf Ladan Bara of Kobi street was arrested by the Inspection and monitoring team of the agency yesterday for dumping Horse’s dungs in one of the major drainages along Kobi street in the metropolis.
A press release signed by the Special Adviser on Media to the Agency’s Director General, Isyaka Laminu Badamasi indicated that Yusuf was arrested during the routine inspection of the ongoing desilting and evacuation exercise carried out by the Agency to contain flooding in the state capital in the event of heavy rainfall.
According to the SA, the action of the culprit was in conflict with section 33 sub section 4,6,7,8,9 and 10 of the Bauchi State Environmental Protection and Conservation Agency law 2017.
Adding that the act is punishable under section 34 sub section 1 and 2.
He said that the culprit who appeared before the Agency’s mobile court presided over by Justice Laraba Hamisu was found guilty of the offence.
Badamasi said, in the process, Yusuf was sentenced to six calendar months in the Bauchi Correctional Center or option of fine to the tune of N50,000.
In addition, the court also mandated him to evacuate the garbage he dumped in the drainage to the satisfaction of the Agency.
“The culprit Yusuf Ladan Bara asked for leniency and the judge reduced the fine to N25,000 and three calendar months instead of the earlier N50,000 and six calendar months imprisonment”, the statement said.
It added that the judgment was to serve as deterrent to him and other people who have same attitude.
“For over ten days, BASEPA is busy desilting the drainage in the state capital to allow free flow of water but unfortunately some people are busy dumping their refused into the same desisted drainage”, the release decried.
Badamasi noted that the action is considered by the Agency as sabotage to the present administration of Governor Bala Mohammed’s effort to keep the state clean.
“The Director General of the Agency, Dr Ibrahim Kabir (MNES) wishes to inform the general public that drainage are not meant for dumping of refuse and anyone found guilty of such will be sentenced accordingly”, the statement said further.
The release also urged members of the public not hesitate to report any suspicious acts capable of blocking drainage or any other Environmental nuisance to the Agency.
