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Abia state government says it has commenced full investigation to unearth the legitimacy of a sanitation mobile court situated around Ikwuano which specialises in issuing stamped papers to motorists and other road users as cover note during sanitation exercise.
According to the state government, the decision to carry out the investigation followed the insistence of the presiding Magistrate in charge of the Mobile Court, Barr. Mrs Esther Nwosu that the Mobile Court has the approval of the Abia Chief Judge to operate during sanitation exercise.
During the sanitation exercise for the month of November held on Saturday, November 29th, 2025, information filtered that sanitation officers around the Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture, Umuadike school gate were extorting money from defaulters and other road users as well as issuing stamped papers to them.
Worried by the disturbing report, the Commissioner, Ministry of Environment, Mr. Philemon Ogbonna, who was represented at the exercise by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Ikechukwu Oririuwa, swung into action and caught the sanitary officers in the act.
One of the officers caught in the act, who gave his name as Chinedu Osondu, confirmed that they issue cover stamped notes to defaulters after collecting the sum of N500 to N1,000 from them, insisting that their operation does not contravene the Abia Basic Sanitation Law.
He also alleged that the Mayor, Ikwuano LGA, was aware that it was a practice during sanitation exercise, but declined to speak if he was also aware of the monies extorted from motorists and other road users during the exercise.
In her submission during an interaction with the government team, the presiding Magistrate of the Mobile Court, Barr. Mrs Nwosu, insisted that the Mobile Court is recognised by the Chief Judge of Abia State, emphasising that they have proper record of all the money realised from defaulters during the sanitation exercise.
She also stated that they have also made several appeals to the state for them to be provided with a link to remit all they realise during the exercise, emphasising that their request has not been granted.
Addressing journalists after the sanitation exercise, through the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Ikechukwu Oririuwa, Mr. Ogbonna said the state government had since received reports concerning the activities of the group, assuring that the ministry will engage with relevant authorities to ensure that the true legitimacy of the Mobile Court is uncovered.
The Commissioner who decried that the Mobile Court was operating in a dirty environment, wondered why a Mobile Court will operate in a dirty environment and still arrest and try people for violating the Abia State Basic Sanitation Law.
He said, “In the past months, we’ve been observing that some defaulters who always come from that area were stopped somewhere in town. They claim to have paid to a sanitation court somewhere at Ikwuano and we saw them coming up with a piece of paper stamped from the supposed courts. So today, we decided to go and find out, went down to Ikwuano, and saw what is supposed to be a sanitation court in a very dirty environment.
”We also met sanitation officers there, collecting money, N1,500, sometimes 500. So I think we’ll have to look into that. Since the magistrate later came, claimed to be legitimately constituted by the Chief Judge. So we are still investigating to find out, to what extent it is true.”
On the compliance level of Abians to the exercise, Mr. Ogbonna appreciated Abians for imbibing the attitude of keeping their environment clean. He warned those who visit gym houses for exercise to desist and use the period to keep their surroundings clean.
Speaking while citing the development at Ikwuano, the House Committee Chairman on Environment and member representing Ohafia South State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Kalu Mba-Nwoke, assured that necessary logistics will be provided to legitimate agents of government who assist in ensuring that Abia environment is clean.
He appreciated Abians for participating actively in the monthly sanitation, urging them not to relent.
On her part, Professor Ijeoma Iheukwumere, S.A to the governor on Environment, decried the nonchalant attitude of shop owners during the exercise, insisting that stringent measures has to be taken at this point against their attitude.
She also appealed to young girls to keep their surroundings clean during sanitation exercise and avoid loitering, maintaining that a clean environment will guarantee healthy living.
Southeastposts reports that out of the 76 defaulters apprehended, 6 were discharged on health grounds, 4 were minors, 6 persons served community service while 60 persons were prosecuted in line with Abia Basic Environmental Sanitation Law.
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