LAGOS SHUTS DOWN ACCESS BANK BRANCH OVER ENVIRONMENTAL BREACHES, WARNS OF LEGAL ACTION
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By: Muftau Fatimo
The Lagos State Government has shut down an Access Bank branch in Victoria Island over alleged environmental violations and an attack on enforcement personnel.
This was announced on Wednesday by the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, after an inspection of the bank’s Oniru facility.
Wahab stated that the action followed a whistleblower complaint, which led officials from the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office to investigate the premises.
“Acting on a whistleblower complaint, I instructed the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office team to inspect the Access Bank Plc building at Oniru, Victoria Island,” the statement read.
He said the inspection revealed that the facility’s wastewater treatment system was not functioning, leading to environmental pollution.
“It was discovered that the wastewater treatment plant at the facility was non-functional, resulting in the discharge of untreated faecal matter into the public drainage system and causing severe damage to the environment,” he stated.
The commissioner further alleged that enforcement officers were resisted during the operation.
“During the enforcement visit, LSWMO officials were denied access to seal the facility. Security personnel and bank management resisted our officers and, in the process, assaulted members of the enforcement team,” Wahab said.
He confirmed that samples collected from the site verified the environmental violation.
“The LSWMO team collected effluent samples from the premises for laboratory testing, and the results confirmed a breach of environmental regulations,” he added.
Wahab also stated that the government would take legal action against those responsible.
“The State will approach the courts to secure the necessary orders for the arrest and prosecution of individuals involved in the attack on government officials performing their lawful duties,” the statement read.
The commissioner emphasized that the government is committed to strict enforcement of environmental laws across Lagos State.
“There will be no sacred cows in enforcing environmental regulations. Any individual or organization found violating environmental laws, regardless of their status, will be held accountable,” he concluded.
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