A Magistrate Court in Kano has sentenced a man to two weeks in prison after neighbours complained that he was storing bags of human faeces outside his home, creating an unbearable stench in the area.
Mohammed Saidu was arraigned after residents reported the offensive odour to environmental officials in Kano.
Saidu, who works as a septic tank evacuator, is believed to have been storing the waste for sale to farmers as fertiliser, a practice that is common in parts of the region but rarely discussed publicly.
“I think he had close to 50 bags of faeces the first time the complaint reached me,” local chief Musa Abdullahi told newsmen.
Residents said the stench from the property had become so severe that it was difficult to remain in their homes.
One of the complainants, Samaila Inuwa, said neighbours initially tried to resolve the issue amicably.
“We spoke to him about it, but he didn’t stop,” Inuwa said.
During proceedings on Wednesday, Saidu pleaded guilty to endangering public health. Before delivering judgment, Presiding Magistrate Halima Wali visited the property to verify the complaints and inspect the bags of faeces herself.
She subsequently sentenced him to 14 days in prison and imposed a fine of ₦100,000, describing his actions as highly inconsiderate and a threat to public health.
In addition to the jail term and fine, the magistrate ordered Saidu to remove all the waste from the premises and undertake not to repeat the offence.