The Lagos State Government has shut down another Access Bank branch in Oniru, Lagos, for discharging raw faecal waste into the public drainage system, Dailynaijanews.com reports.
The development was disclosed by Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, in a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday.
Wahab revealed that the enforcement action followed a tip-off from a whistleblower, which was subsequently verified by officials of the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO).
According to him, the agency carried out a joint enforcement operation late Wednesday night, leading to the sealing of the bank branch located on Land Bridge Avenue, Oniru, Victoria Island.
Wahab wrote on X: “Another Access Bank branch sealed…. Following a tip from another whistleblower, the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office in joint enforcement activities on yesternight sealed off another branch of Access Bank at Land Bridge Avenue, Oniru, Victoria Island, having confirmed it to be indiscriminately discharging raw faecal matter into the drainages, causing foul smell and environmental degradation in defiance of the State Environmental Laws. The property will be sanctioned in line with the prevailing laws.”
He emphasized that the state government remains committed to enforcing environmental regulations and maintaining public health standards, warning that any organization found violating sanitation laws would face strict penalties.
The incident adds to growing concerns over environmental compliance among corporate organizations operating within Lagos State, particularly in high-density commercial areas like Victoria Island.
It would be recalled that the ministry had earlier attempted to seal the head office of Access Bank over a similar environmental offence. However, according to the commissioner, enforcement officials were resisted and allegedly attacked by staff during the operation.
In recent years, the ministry has sealed several commercial premises, including banks, hotels, and eateries, for offences ranging from improper sewage disposal to illegal waste discharge. These actions form part of a broader crackdown by the state government to curb environmental pollution and enforce sanitation laws.
The Lagos State Government has reiterated that it will continue to rely on whistleblowers and routine inspections to identify violators, urging residents and businesses to adhere strictly to environmental regulations.
