LAGOS, Nigeria — The Lagos State Government has sealed a branch of Access Bank in Victoria Island following allegations of environmental violations and an attack on enforcement officers, officials said on Wednesday, April 6, 2026.
The state Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said the action followed an inspection of the bank’s premises in Oniru prompted by a whistleblower complaint.
According to Mr Wahab, officials from the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office were dispatched to investigate conditions at the facility.
“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 said.
The inspection, he added, found that the facility’s wastewater treatment system was not operational.
“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,” he said.
Mr Wahab said enforcement officers encountered resistance when attempting to seal the premises.
“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,” he said.
Samples collected from the site were subjected to laboratory analysis, which, according to the commissioner, confirmed the violation.
“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,” he said.
The state government said it would pursue legal action against those allegedly involved in the incident.
“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,” the statement said.
Mr Wahab said the government would continue to enforce environmental regulations without exception.
“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,” he said.
Officials did not immediately comment on when the facility might be reopened.
