Cable thief jailed for one year after attempted vandalism at Lagos Wastewater Plant

A man identified as Sodiq Oyewummi has been sentenced to 12 months in prison for stealing electrical cables from the Oke-Afa Wastewater Treatment Plant, a vital facility managed by the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO).

Oyewummi was apprehended in the act by alert facility staff while attempting to remove cables from the government-owned plant. He was immediately handed over to the Lagos State Taskforce Environmental and Special Offences Court for prosecution.

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

Speaking on the incident, Engineer Adefemi Afolabi, General Manager of the LSWMO, underlined the seriousness of the crime and the importance of the swift legal outcome.

“This conviction underpins the Lagos State Government’s firm stance against the vandalism of public infrastructure,” Engr Afolabi said.

He added that the court’s prompt decision should serve as a warning to others and reaffirmed the agency’s dedication to protecting state-owned facilities.

“LSWMO remains resolute in its mission to monitor and maintain the state’s wastewater treatment infrastructure, ensuring these facilities run efficiently and continue to serve the public effectively,” he added.

The Lagos State Wastewater Management Office also urged residents to remain alert and report any suspicious behaviour around critical infrastructure.