Kwara arraigns 12 for road encroachment at Ilorin Central Market

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin –

The Kwara State Government, through a Mobile Court sitting at Ilorin Central Market (Oja-Oba), has arraigned 12 individuals for encroaching on the main road despite several warnings and public sensitisation campaigns.

The violators were apprehended from different parts of the market for illegally displaying wares on pedestrian walkways and obstructing road access, contravening the state’s environmental regulations.

The court session, which included the presence of a Chief Magistrate, Environmental Health Officers (EHOs), and security personnel, saw Magistrate Muhammad Kola Aluko presiding over the proceedings.

Magistrate Aluko read out the charges and, in consideration of their status as first-time offenders, sentenced them with fines payable to the state government through the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Dr. Abubakar Ayinla, led a monitoring team to the court sitting and delivered a goodwill message on behalf of the Commissioner for Environment, Hajia Nafisat Musa Buge.

She praised the collaborative efforts of security agencies and stakeholders in tackling issues such as road encroachment, indiscriminate refuse dumping, and poor waste management across the state.

The Commissioner urged continued compliance with environmental laws and stressed the importance of supporting the state government’s investments in achieving a cleaner, more orderly Kwara.

“We must all do the needful to preserve the environmental gains under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s administration by rejecting actions that threaten public health and safety,” she stated.