- Environmental Crackdown: Lagos Seals Access Bank Plc Facility in Oniru
- Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed that the operation was conducted late at night as part of a joint enforcement exercise
- The development comes amid rising tensions between regulatory authorities and the bank
The Lagos State Government has sealed a branch of Access Bank Plc located on Land Bridge Avenue in Oniru, Victoria Island, over the alleged discharge of untreated faecal waste into public drainage channels.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the enforcement action was carried out by officials of the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office following a whistleblower report that led to an inspection of the facility.
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Authorities said investigations confirmed that the bank was discharging raw sewage into nearby drains, resulting in foul odour and environmental pollution in violation of state sanitation laws.
Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed that the operation was conducted late at night as part of a joint enforcement exercise. He reiterated the state’s zero-tolerance stance on environmental infractions, stressing that appropriate sanctions would be applied.
“Following a tip-off, our enforcement team confirmed indiscriminate discharge of untreated waste, leading to environmental degradation. The facility has been sealed in line with existing regulations,” Wahab said.
The development comes amid rising tensions between regulatory authorities and the bank. The state government had earlier accused individuals linked to the facility of assaulting enforcement officers during an attempted inspection of its wastewater treatment system.
According to Wahab, officers were initially denied access to the premises, and some personnel were allegedly attacked while carrying out their duties.
Samples collected from the site were later analysed, with results reportedly confirming environmental violations. The commissioner added that the government would pursue legal action against those involved in the alleged assault and seek court orders for their arrest and prosecution.
“There will be no sacred cows. Any organisation or individual found violating environmental laws will be held accountable,” he stated.
As of the time of filing this report, Access Bank Plc had not issued an official response to the allegations or the sealing of its branch.
The incident is part of a broader enforcement drive by Lagos authorities targeting environmental offenders, aimed at improving sanitation standards and protecting public health across the state.
