Pollution: Lagos will arrest, prosecute Access Bank officials over attack on officers –Commissioner

*Tokunbo Wahab, Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and and Water Resources declares the state will institute legal action against Access Bank Plc over alleged environmental violations and an attack on government enforcement officers at its major branch at Oniru, Victoria Island

Emmanuel Akosile | ConsumerConnect

Sequel to reported attacks on its environment enforcement officials, the Lagos State Government (LASG), has shut an Access Bank Branch on Victoria Island, Lagos.

ConsumerConnect reports the Lagos Government said it would institute a legal action against the leading commercial bank over alleged environmental violations and an attack on its enforcement officers recently.

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Tokunbo Wahab, Honourable Commissioner for Environment and and Water Resources, who said this in a statement Wednesday, April 1, 2026,

Wahab disclosed the state government’s action followed an official inspection of the commercial bank’s facility at Oniru, on Victoria Island.

The Commissioner also said the action against Access Bank Branch was informed by a whistleblower complaint, which prompted officials of the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office to investigate the activities on the premises.

Wahab stated: “Following a whistleblower complaint, I directed the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office team to visit the Access Bank Plc building at Oniru, Victoria Island.”

He further explained that after the officials’ inspection, findings indicated that the the bank’s wastewater treatment system was not functioning, leading to environmental pollution in the area on Victoria Island, Lagos.

The Commissioner stated: “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.”

Wahab as well alleged that enforcement officers were resisted during the operation at the bank’s facility.

He said: “During the enforcement visit, officials of LSWMO were denied access to seal the facility. Security personnel and management representatives of the bank resisted our officers and, in the process, attacked members of the enforcement team.”

According to him, samples taken from the site confirmed the environmental breach.

The Commissioner stated: “The LSWMO team has taken samples of the effluent being discharged from the premises for laboratory analysis and the result of the test came back positive.”

The state will pursue legal action against those involved in the incident, said he.

The Lagos Government declared: “The state will also proceed to court to obtain the necessary orders for the arrest and prosecution of individuals involved in the attack on government officials carrying out their lawful duties.”

He restated that the Lagos Government would strictly enforce environmental regulations across the state.

The Commissioner further asserted: “There will be no sacred cows in the enforcement of environmental regulations. “Any individual or organisation found violating environmental laws, regardless of status, will be held accountable.”

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