The Lagos State Government through its Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO) has sealed another branch of Access Bank in a sweeping enforcement action over environmental violations in Victoria Island axis of te state.
The affected branch, located on Land Bridge Avenue in Oniru, was shut down following a whistleblower report that prompted an overnight inspection by state officials.
It stressed that enforcement teams would ensure the property remains sealed in compliance with environmental laws.
The commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunboh Wahab, who disclosed this to newsmen on Thursday after the sealing, stated that the bank facility had been discharging untreated faecal matter directly into public drainage systems, resulting in foul odour and significant environmental degradation in the area.
According to him, the wastewater treatment plant at the facility was found to be non-functional, leading to the indiscriminate release of raw sewage in clear violation of Lagos State environmental regulations. Officials described the situation as hazardous, noting its potential impact on public health and the surrounding ecosystem.
As gathered, tensions escalated during the enforcement visit when officers were allegedly denied access to the premises. Security personnel and representatives of the bank reportedly resisted attempts to seal the facility, with some enforcement officials said to have been attacked in the process.
Despite the resistance, authorities collected samples of the discharged effluent for laboratory testing. Results later confirmed the presence of untreated waste, strengthening the government’s case against the institution.
Wahab, meanwhile, announced plans to initiate legal proceedings to secure the arrest and prosecution of individuals involved in the obstruction and alleged assault of its officials.
He emphasized that the crackdown is part of a broader effort to enforce sanitation and environmental standards across the state.
“There will be no sacred cows,” a government statement declared, warning that any organization or individual found violating environmental laws—regardless of status—will face the full weight of the law”.
