Trending 
Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, has rejected claims that his ministry demanded money from property owners to halt the demolition of houses at Oral Estate, Ikota.
Wahab was responding to a viral video in which a woman alleged that he and other ministry officials agreed to suspend the demolition after initially requesting ₦1 billion and later settling for ₦700 million. In the video, she claimed the estate was working to raise the money to prevent further demolition.
In a statement posted on his official social media accounts on Sunday, Wahab dismissed the accusations as false and malicious, stating that neither he nor any ministry official had requested or received any payment — “not ₦1 billion, ₦700 million, nor a single kobo.”
He described the allegations as a deliberate attempt to blackmail the government and a dangerous distraction from its mission to prevent flooding and safeguard residents.
“My attention has been drawn to a circulating video containing baseless claims that the Ministry demanded money to stop the removal of structures on drainage setbacks in Oral Estate,” Wahab said. “These claims are entirely false and intended to smear the government’s reputation.”
The commissioner explained that the clearance of rights of way and the removal of illegal obstructions along canals and drainage channels is a public safety measure that has not been paused for any negotiation or payment.
“This propaganda is a dangerous diversion from our vital work to prevent flooding and protect Lagosians,” he said, adding that the ministry treats the defamatory claims with “the utmost seriousness” and will take legal action against those behind them.
“We will pursue this matter in court, and the individual responsible must provide evidence before the appropriate authorities,” Wahab stated.
The denial comes amid ongoing enforcement operations in Ikota and surrounding areas, where officials are demolishing structures built within drainage channels and river setbacks — action Wahab said is crucial to curbing seasonal flooding.
The ministry also warned residents against engaging intermediaries or making any payments to avoid legal enforcement.
