Lagos Govt Moves to Seal Access Bank Plc HQ Over Alleged Wastewater Violations, Attack on Officials
By Adeyemi Obadimu
The Lagos State Government has alleged that the headquarters of Access Bank Plc in Oniru, Victoria Island, discharged untreated wastewater into the public drainage system, following an enforcement visit prompted by a whistleblower complaint.
The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed the development via his official social media platform, stating that he directed officials of the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO) to inspect the bank’s facility.
According to the commissioner, the inspection revealed that the wastewater treatment plant at the premises was allegedly non-functional, resulting in the discharge of untreated faecal matter into public drains and causing environmental concerns.
Wahab further alleged that during the enforcement visit, LSWMO officials were denied access to seal the facility. He claimed that security personnel and representatives of the bank resisted the enforcement team, and that some officers were attacked while carrying out their duties.
The commissioner stated that wastewater samples were collected from the premises for laboratory analysis, and that test results reportedly confirmed contamination.
He added that the state government would proceed to court to obtain the necessary orders for the arrest and prosecution of individuals allegedly involved in the incident. Enforcement officers, he said, would be reinforced to return and seal the property in accordance with Lagos State environmental laws.
Wahab emphasized that environmental regulations would be strictly enforced without exception, stating that no individual or organization would be exempt from compliance.
NEWSEXTRA reached out to Adekunle Aderinokun, spokesperson for Access Bank, for the bank’s reaction, but he had not responded as of the time this report was filed.
