Femi Falana has urged residents of Lagos State to disregard movement restrictions associated with the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, saying there is no law backing such limits.
Falana said residents are free to go about their normal activities during the exercise, describing any restriction of movement as voluntary rather than compulsory.
The Lagos State government, however, insisted the sanitation exercise remains valid and will proceed as scheduled. Officials urged residents to stay home and participate in the exercise set for Saturday between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.
In a statement, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab dismissed claims that a court ruling had halted the exercise. He said the government had secured a favorable judgment at the Court of Appeal affirming the legality of laws used to implement and enforce environmental sanitation.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had earlier announced the return of the monthly sanitation exercise in March while monitoring a cleanup alongside Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat .
Falana criticized the reintroduction of the exercise, particularly past practices that restricted movement for several hours, describing them as unconstitutional and a holdover from military-era policies.
He said available information indicated the state had not formally reinstated compulsory movement restrictions, adding that residents should cooperate with sanitation officials while continuing their lawful activities.
Falana also noted that the state government had allocated significant funds to environmental management in its 2026 budget, including waste management and drainage projects, as part of broader efforts to improve sanitation.
