The Lagos State Government has heightened its efforts against environmental violations, moving against branches of Access Bank Plc in Victoria Island over the indiscriminate discharge of untreated sewage and what officials describe as outright obstruction of lawful enforcement.
Commissioner for the Environment, Tokunbo Wahab, said the action followed a whistleblower complaint that prompted the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO) to inspect the bank’s facility in Oniru. At the site, officials reportedly discovered that the wastewater treatment plant was non-functional, leading to the release of untreated faecal matter into public drainage channels.
Beyond the environmental breach, the situation escalated during the enforcement visit. According to the commissioner, LSWMO officials were denied access to seal the premises, while security personnel and some management representatives allegedly resisted and attacked members of the enforcement team.
Samples of the discharged effluent were subsequently taken for laboratory analysis, with authorities confirming that the results validated the presence of untreated waste.
The state government has indicated it will seek court orders for the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the alleged assault, while also reinforcing enforcement teams to ensure the property is sealed in line with environmental laws.
Even as that process unfolded, another branch of Access Bank Plc on Land Bridge Avenue, also in Oniru, was sealed during a separate overnight operation. Officials said the branch was found to be discharging raw faecal matter into drainage systems, leaving behind a persistent stench and polluting the surrounding environment.
The back-to-back incidents have cast a harsh light on the bank’s operational discipline. For an institution that prides itself on corporate stature and public-facing sustainability messaging, the repeated breaches — and the reported resistance to enforcement — paint a different picture on the ground.
Authorities say the message is clear. Enforcement will not bend for status, and organisations found cutting corners on basic environmental obligations will face the consequences.
Residents in the area, long affected by poor sanitation and foul odours, are now watching closely to see whether compliance will follow — or if more high-profile seals will be required before standards are met.
