Canada Returnee Jailed for Assaulting Lagos Sanitation Officer While Violating Pedestrian Law
A Canada returnee, Morufudeen Idowu, has been jailed for assaulting a KAI officer who stopped him at Ojota.
His refusal to obey pedestrian rules led to a confrontation, drawing attention to Lagos’ strict safety enforcement laws.
A 52-year-old man, Morufudeen Idowu, who recently returned to Nigeria from Canada, has been sentenced to three months in prison for assaulting an official of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), commonly referred to as KAI.
The incident reportedly occurred near the Ojota pedestrian bridge in Lagos, a location known for frequent enforcement of pedestrian safety regulations due to the high rate of accidents involving illegal road crossing. Idowu was arrested after he physically attacked a KAI officer who attempted to stop him from crossing the Ojota expressway, which violates Lagos State’s pedestrian laws.
According to the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, the assault happened during a routine enforcement operation by KAI officials who were stationed around Ojota to monitor compliance with pedestrian safety rules. In a post shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Wahab confirmed that Idowu had resisted lawful arrest and proceeded to assault the officer who was carrying out his duty.
“Mr Morufudeen Idowu, who assaulted one of our operatives and resisted arrest while attempting to cross the expressway at Ojota, has been arraigned before the Magistrate Court sitting at Oshodi. He was subsequently convicted and sentenced to three months imprisonment,” Wahab wrote in his update.
The Ojota pedestrian bridge, where the incident took place, is one of several spots in Lagos heavily monitored by LAGESC officials due to the dangers posed by jaywalking. Authorities have continuously urged Lagos residents and visitors to use pedestrian bridges and designated crossings to avoid injuries, fatalities, and run-ins with the law.
The Lagos State government has maintained a strict stance against illegal crossing of major highways, especially where pedestrian bridges are available. Officials argue that enforcement is necessary to protect lives and reduce the growing number of pedestrian-related accidents across the state. The sentencing of Mr. Idowu is expected to serve as a deterrent to others who may consider flouting similar laws or confronting government officials enforcing them.
This case also brings to light the challenge of re-orienting returning residents and visitors unfamiliar with Nigeria’s local enforcement culture or the consequences of defying public safety laws. The government, through agencies like LAGESC, has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that pedestrian safety regulations are respected across all parts of the state.
