Court remands waste contractor, seals Akure plaza over health risk

By Boye Oyeyemi

A court in Ondo State has ordered the sealing of Olukayode Shopping Plaza in Akure and remanded a waste disposal contractor over alleged improper handling and dumping of waste capable of posing a public health risk.

The order followed evidence presented by the state Ministry of Environment that waste from a filled septic tank at the shopping complex was manually evacuated and allegedly dumped indiscriminately, resulting in an offensive odour.

The ministry said the waste was dumped by an unregistered private service provider along the Oba Ile-Airport Road in Akure, raising concerns about possible environmental contamination and the spread of disease.

According to the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Engr. Akinluyi Omotola, authorities were alerted after a vehicle suspected of conveying foul-smelling waste was sighted and tracked following information provided by a concerned citizen.

Akinluyi said the driver, identified as Olorunwa Sunday, an indigene of Delta State residing in Oke-Aro, told investigators that he had been contracted to dispose of the substance removed from Olukayode House at any convenient location.

Following the development, the Ministry of Environment approached the court, which ordered the premises sealed despite the absence of the shopping plaza’s management, citing the sensitivity of the matter and the need to protect public health.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Tob Loko, said the government would conduct a comprehensive inspection of the premises, including the septic tank, while environmental professionals would fumigate the facility to protect occupants and members of the public.

The court also ordered Sunday to be remanded at the Olokuta Correctional Facility and adjourned the case until Thursday, September 17, 2026, for further hearing.