Hon. Tokunbo Wahab Denies Allegations of Extortion Over Ikota Estate Demolition
By Daniji Emmanuel
The Honourable Commissioner for the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Lagos State, Hon. Tokunbo Wahab, has strongly refuted circulating claims that his ministry demanded money from property owners to halt the ongoing demolition exercise at Oral Estate, Ikota.
In a statement addressing the viral video and accompanying social media posts, the Commissioner described the allegations as “entirely false and a deliberate attempt to blackmail the government.”
“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,” he said.
Hon. Wahab emphasized that neither he nor any official of the Ministry had ever requested or received any payment — “whether ₦1 billion, ₦700 million, or a single kobo” — from anyone connected to the site.
He reaffirmed that the ongoing operation to clear the Right of Way and remove illegal structures obstructing drainage channels and canals is a public safety exercise aimed at flood prevention and environmental protection.
“The operation has not been paused for any form of negotiation or payment. Our work continues,” the Commissioner stated firmly.
Describing the false reports as “a dangerous distraction,” Hon. Wahab warned that the Ministry will take legal steps against the individuals behind the defamatory claims.
“We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness. The individual behind these claims will be required to provide proof to the appropriate authorities,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, visuals circulating online with captions such as “They stopped work yes but will continue again God ___” have been debunked by the Ministry, which tagged the reports “FAKE NEWS.”
The Lagos State Government maintains that all ongoing demolitions are in line with environmental regulations to ensure the free flow of rainwater and prevent future flooding incidents across the state.
