Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, has denied claims that his ministry demanded N1billion or received N700 million to pause a demolition exercise in Oral Estate in Ojota area of the state.
Wahab said the claims were false and a deliberate attempt to blackmail the state government.
In a statement on his X page, the commissioner said neither him nor any official from his Ministry demanded or deceived such an amount from property owners.
He said: “My attention has been drawn to a circulating video containing false and malicious allegations that the Ministry demanded money from property owners to pause the ongoing removal of structures on drainage setbacks at Oral Estate, Ikota.
“I must state categorically that these claims are entirely false and a deliberate attempt to blackmail the government.
“Neither I nor any official from the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources has neither ever requested nor received any payment, whether N1 billion, N700 million, or a single kobo, from any property owner.
“The operation to clear the Right of Way and Setbacks to different channels, and canals of illegal obstructions is a public safety imperative, and it has not been paused for any form of negotiation or payment. Our work continues.
“This propaganda is a dangerous distraction from our critical mission to prevent flooding and protect the majority of Lagosians.
“We take these defamatory allegations with the utmost seriousness. We shall be pursuing this matter legally, and the individual behind these claims will be required to provide proof to the appropriate authorities.”
