A Magistrate Court in Kano State has sentenced a man, Mohammed Saidu, to two weeks imprisonment and imposed a fine of N100,000 after finding him guilty of storing bags of human faeces outside his residence, an act deemed a serious threat to public health.
The court's decision followed complaints from residents of the area, who accused Saidu of keeping large quantities of human waste near his home, creating an unbearable stench and exposing the community to potential health risks.
According to reports, neighbours had repeatedly appealed to Saidu to discontinue the practice, but their efforts proved unsuccessful, prompting them to seek intervention from environmental authorities.
Investigations revealed that Saidu, who works as a septic tank evacuator, allegedly collected and stored the waste for resale to farmers who use it as fertilizer, a practice reported in some northern communities. Officials reportedly discovered dozens of bags filled with human waste at the premises during an inspection.
Before delivering judgment, Magistrate Halima Wali personally visited the residence to assess the situation and verify the complaints made by residents.
Describing the act as irresponsible and hazardous to public health, the court sentenced Saidu to 14 days in prison and ordered him to pay a N100,000 fine.
In addition, the court directed him to immediately remove all human waste from the property and undertake not to engage in the practice again.
Reacting to the judgment, one of the affected residents, Samaila Inuwa, expressed relief over the court's intervention, stating that residents had endured the offensive odour for a prolonged period.
He noted that the neighbourhood had become more comfortable since authorities stepped in to address the issue.
A community leader, Musa Abdullahi, disclosed that he had previously warned Saidu after learning about the waste storage. According to him, the convict initially removed the bags following the warning but later resumed the practice without the knowledge of community members.
Abdullahi added that efforts would be made to restore harmony between Saidu and his neighbours after he serves his sentence.