Man Jailed 12 Months for Cable Theft at Lagos Wastewater Facility

A man identified as Sodiq Oyewunmi has been sentenced to 12 months imprisonment for stealing electrical cables from the Oke Afa Wastewater Treatment Plant in Lagos State, an essential public infrastructure managed by the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO).

According to a statement by Tokunbo Wahab, the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Oyewunmi was apprehended on-site by officials at the facility while attempting to steal the cables. He was subsequently arraigned before the Lagos State Taskforce Environmental and Special Offences Court.

Oyewunmi faced a three-count charge which included conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, wilful damage to government property, and theft of government property. He pleaded guilty to the first and third charges and was convicted accordingly.

“This incident highlights the consequences of undermining public utilities and reinforces the Lagos State Government’s zero-tolerance policy on vandalism.

“The swift legal action serves as a clear deterrent, affirming the government’s commitment to securing public assets and ensuring uninterrupted service delivery,” Wahab said.

The Oke Afa Wastewater Treatment Plant is one of the state’s key environmental infrastructure facilities, playing a vital role in wastewater management and sanitation for residents in Lagos.

Officials from the LSWMO have urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity around public utilities to the appropriate authorities.

The Lagos State Government reiterated its resolve to protect public infrastructure and warned that acts of sabotage would be met with the full weight of the law.

The incident has drawn public attention as Lagos intensifies efforts to improve infrastructure security and enforce environmental compliance through stronger legal and surveillance measures.