- Wahab Denies ₦1bn Bribery Claim Over Oral Estate Demolition
- Wahab clarified that the drainage setback clearing exercise was part of the state’s flood prevention strategy
- The Commissioner further disclosed that the Ministry would take legal action against the individual behind the viral video
Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, has strongly denied allegations that officials of the ministry demanded or collected money from property owners to halt the ongoing demolition of buildings at Oral Estate, Ikota.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the Commissioner’s response followed a viral video circulating on social media, in which a woman alleged that Wahab and his team had agreed to suspend the demolition after requesting ₦1 billion, later reduced to ₦700 million.
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In the video, the woman claimed:
“Thank God for today. We have peace of mind. We’re not hearing excavators tearing people’s houses down. The Commissioner, Ministry of Environment came and we had an agreement that my estate is going to pay ₦1 billion for sheet piling; it ended in ₦700 million. My estate is trying to gather the money and give them this month.”
Reacting via an official statement on his verified social media handles on Sunday, Wahab dismissed the allegation as false, malicious, and a deliberate attempt to blackmail the government.
“My attention has been drawn to a circulating video containing false and malicious claims that the Ministry demanded money from property owners to pause the ongoing removal of structures on drainage setbacks at Oral Estate, Ikota.
I must state categorically that these claims are entirely false. Neither I nor any official from the Ministry has ever requested or received any payment whether ₦1 billion, ₦700 million, or a single kobo,” Wahab stated.
He clarified that the drainage setback clearing exercise was part of the state’s flood prevention strategy and not subject to any negotiation or payment.
“The operation to clear the right of way and remove illegal obstructions on drainage channels is a public safety imperative. It has not been paused, nor will it be, for any kind of settlement. This propaganda is a dangerous distraction from our mission to protect Lagosians from flooding,” he added.
The Commissioner further disclosed that the Ministry would take legal action against the individual behind the viral video, saying the defamatory allegation would be pursued in court.
“We are taking this matter very seriously. The individual behind these claims will be required to provide proof to the appropriate authorities,” Wahab warned.
The Ministry also reiterated that residents should not make any payments to individuals or intermediaries claiming to represent government officials in exchange for halting enforcement operation
Recent enforcement exercises in Ikota and adjoining communities have seen the removal of structures obstructing waterways and drainage channels efforts Wahab said were essential to curbing perennial flooding and protecting lives and properties across Lagos.
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