By Peace Udugba -The daily torch media
The enforcement action, carried out at the bank’s Oniru facility in Victoria Island, underscores the state’s broader push to hold corporate organisations accountable for environmental infractions, particularly those affecting public health and urban infrastructure.
Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said the move followed a whistleblower alert that triggered an immediate investigation by the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office.
According to him, inspectors discovered that the bank’s wastewater treatment system had broken down, leading to the discharge of untreated waste into public drainage channels — a situation he described as a serious environmental and sanitary risk.
“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 stated.
The situation reportedly escalated during enforcement, as officials encountered resistance while attempting to carry out their duties. Wahab alleged that enforcement officers were denied access to seal the premises, with security personnel and management representatives resisting and attacking members of the team.
Authorities confirmed that samples collected from the site have been analysed, with laboratory results indicating contamination consistent with untreated wastewater discharge.
The state government has indicated plans to escalate the matter legally, including seeking court orders for the arrest and prosecution of individuals allegedly involved in the confrontation with enforcement officers.
Wahab stressed that the incident reflects a wider pattern the government is determined to address, warning that enforcement will be applied uniformly across all sectors.
“There will be no sacred cows. Any individual or organisation found violating environmental laws, regardless of status, will be held accountable,” he said.
The development highlights Lagos’ renewed focus on environmental compliance, particularly in high-density commercial areas where infrastructure strain and waste management challenges remain pressing concerns.
