Lagos Commissioner for Environment, Tokunbo Wahab, has denied viral social media claims that officials demanded ₦1 billion from residents of Oral Estate, Ikota, to halt canal demolition. He described the report as fake, malicious, and a blackmail attempt against the state government
By Lukman Omikunle
Tokunbo Wahab Slams ‘₦1 Billion Bribe’ Claim as Fake, Vows Legal Action Over Canal Demolition Allegations
…Says Lagos Canal Demolition Is Non-Negotiable
The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, has strongly refuted viral social media claims alleging that officials of his ministry demanded a ₦1 billion bribe to halt the ongoing demolition of illegal structures on drainage setbacks at Oral Estate, Ikota.
Describing the reports as “entirely false and malicious,” Wahab vowed to take legal action against the individuals behind what he called a deliberate attempt to blackmail the state government and distract from its mission to protect Lagosians from flooding.
A post by an X user, @AsakyGRN, had alleged that residents of an estate under demolition claimed government officials requested ₦1 billion—and later ₦700 million—to suspend the operation. The post quickly went viral, sparking public debate and outrage online.
Reacting via his verified X handle (@Tokunbo_Wahab) on Sunday, the commissioner dismissed the claim as pure fiction.
“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,” Wahab said.
He further emphasized that neither he nor any official of the ministry had ever requested or received any money from anyone in connection with the state’s flood prevention exercises.
“Neither I nor any official from the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources has ever requested or received any payment, whether ₦1 billion, ₦700 million, or a single kobo, from any property owner,” he stated firmly.
Wahab reiterated that the ongoing clearance of illegal structures and obstructions on canals, drainages, and rights of way across Lagos is a non-negotiable public safety measure aimed at preventing flooding and saving lives.
“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,” he said.
Condemning what he termed “a dangerous distraction”, Wahab maintained that the government would not be deterred by misinformation or propaganda designed to stall its environmental reforms.
“This propaganda is a dangerous distraction from our critical mission to prevent flooding and protect the majority of Lagosians,” he added.
The commissioner also revealed that legal steps are being initiated to bring the perpetrators of the false report to book.
“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,” Wahab concluded.
Wahab has in recent months led an aggressive environmental enforcement campaign across Lagos, targeting illegal constructions, blocked drainages, and encroachments on waterways — key causes of recurrent flooding in the state.
The commissioner’s statement reinforces the state government’s stance that its flood prevention and urban renewal efforts are in the collective interest of all Lagosians, not for negotiation or compromise. Read More
