The Lagos State Government, through the Environmental Sanitation Corps, LAGESC, popularly known as Kick Against Indiscipline, KAI, on Wednesday secured the conviction of 12 commercial sex workers to eight months imprisonment over offences bordering on prostitution, and breach of peace.
The convicts were earlier arrested during a dislodgement operation at Obalende area of the State
The operation, led by KAI Marshal of the Agency, Major Olaniyi Cole, (retd), was part of concerted efforts towards reducing the spate of environmental infractions in the Obalende area and by extension the State.
According to Cole, “The THEMES agenda of Mr. Governor clearly states the need for Lagos to be habitable for business and the situation at Obalende has deteriorated over time, prompting the need for us to launch a large-scale enforcement operation against these nefarious elements that want to desecrate our environment which resulted in arrests and eventual convictions’.”
The names of the suspects are: Oluwaseun Durojaye, Female, F, 20, Joy Felix, F, 24, Opeyemi Azeez, F, 25, Precious Mathew, F, 24, Happiness Kingsley, F, 24, Theresa Edet, F, 30, Ayo Olanrewaju, F, 20, Monica Ebuka, F, 21, Blessing James, F, 22, Favour Samuel, F, 34.
Others include: Janet Ighumba, F, 24, Marvis Ifeoma, F, 32, Adeyanju Clara, F, 24, Favour Johnson, F, 34, Joy Rafael, F, 24, Promise Joseph, F, 23, Favour Ajoor, F, 28, Joy Onyekachi, F, 28 and Emmanuel Friday, F, 20.
They were arraigned before Chief Magistrate Adefioye of the Special Offences Court at the Command Headquarters of the Agency, Bolade-Oshodi, Lagos for offences contrary to Section 142(1)(a)(b) and 168(1) (d) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State as 12 out of 19 suspects bagged eight months imprisonment while 7 others who pleaded not guilty were remanded in prison custody until December 18 for further hearing.
Applauding the judgement, Cole insisted that despite the attacks recorded on operatives in the line of duty, the Agency remained undeterred by the acts of those nefarious elements, stressing that any arrested suspect would be made to face the full wrath of the law.
The KAI boss, also read the riot act to street traders, and hawkers to refrain from displaying wares for sale on setbacks, lay-bys, medians, road verges, kerbs, and gutter slabs just as he enjoined pedestrians alike to make use of the pedestrian bridges when crossing highways as offenders will be arrested and made to face prosecution in line with the State Environmental Law.
(Vanguard)