Lagos State has sealed Balmoral Convention Centre in Victoria Island and Foodies Restaurant in Lekki Phase 1 over improper wastewater disposal into public drains, intensifying enforcement against environmental violations across the state.

The announcement was made on Wednesday by the Commissioner for the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, through his official X account.

The enforcement followed investigations which revealed that both establishments discharged untreated wastewater into drainage systems, causing pollution, foul odour, and public health concerns despite previous warnings.

According to Wahab, the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO) shut Balmoral Convention Centre after authorities discovered raw sewage was being pumped directly into public drains, alongside wastewater overflow from a blocked sewage chamber.

The agency said the violations created severe environmental pollution, drainage contamination, and persistent public nuisance in the area.

“Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO) on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, sealed off Balmoral Convention Centre, Victoria Island over indiscriminate discharge of raw sewage into the public drain via the use of a pumping machine and unattended wastewater spillage from a blocked sewage chamber causing public nuisance and foul smell,” he stated.

Foodies Restaurant, located at Admiralty Way in Lekki Phase 1, was also sealed for discharging untreated wastewater containing fats and oils into public drains.

The agency noted that the restaurant’s actions contributed to blocked drainage channels, environmental pollution, and repeated nuisance despite earlier compliance warnings.

The development is part of a broader enforcement drive by Lagos authorities against residential and commercial properties violating wastewater management regulations.

In January 2026, the state sealed a residential estate on Ladipo Omotesho Street, Lekki Phase 1, over environmental nuisance and obstruction of enforcement officials.

Similarly, in September 2025, EMCEL Court Phase I and Well Stock Apartments in Ikota GRA, Eti-Osa, were shut for illegal wastewater discharge.

In April 2026, Viva Bella Court II in Lekki Peninsula was sealed for deliberate release of untreated wastewater and septic tank spillage into public drains.

Lagos State recently resumed its monthly environmental sanitation exercise on April 25, 2026, as part of efforts to maintain environmental cleanliness and reduce flooding risks.

The exercise is backed by enforcement measures to ensure compliance, with penalties including fines and up to three months imprisonment for illegal dumping and littering.

The renewed sanitation drive, alongside stricter wastewater enforcement, underscores the state government’s commitment to strengthening environmental governance and improving public health outcomes.

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Widespread anger has trailed a new round of Lagos demolitions after the state government pulled down more buildings across Oworonshoki, Lekki, and parts of Lagos Island.

Residents, civil society groups, and industry experts say the action punishes ordinary citizens while overlooking failures in government supervision.

Fresh wave of demolitions sparks outrage

The latest demolitions began around November 24, 2025, in the Coker axis of Oworonshoki. The same day, several structures on Lagos Island were also demolished. In Lekki, at the Ikota River Right of Way, 17 buildings were pulled down earlier in October for alleged encroachment.

For many residents, the pattern shows that regulatory agencies did not monitor construction early enough to prevent these losses.

Experts blame poor oversight and weak enforcement

Concerns intensified after the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) issued a communiqué at a building sector conference in Abuja. The agency warned that poor compliance and weak supervision across construction sites continue to endanger lives.

Construction expert Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke said sustainable building practices require strict adherence to codes and guidelines. According to him, ignoring these rules has contributed to collapses, deaths, and massive financial losses.

Humanitarian concerns rise as families lose homes

The human cost of the demolition exercise has been devastating.
Gospel artist Testimony Jaga, speaking after a demolition along AIT Road and the Powerline axis, said many families now sleep outside with no shelter or food.

The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) had claimed the structures encroached on high-tension powerline corridors.

Several residents shared their painful stories:

• Mrs. Adebimpe Oduro, a widow, lost her only means of livelihood.
• Mrs. Shola Ikotun and Mrs. Bisoye Lawal said their shops were vital to supporting their families.
• 64-year-old Mrs. Olabisi Osho fainted during the demolition of her home and suffered a head injury.
• 66-year-old Aina Adejare said she now sleeps on bare ground after losing her marital home of over 30 years.

Residents accuse the government of neglecting their welfare while properties cleared for public infrastructure are allegedly being converted into private developments.

Allegations of land repurposing spark further anger

Testimony Jaga alleged that areas initially designated for a BRT depot and a Mechanic Village are now being redeveloped into malls and private shops. He described the situation as “a humanitarian crisis,” insisting that the government must provide compensation, especially for widows and elderly residents.

Call for more humane urban planning

Urban analysts warn that Lagos cannot enforce planning regulations without addressing the needs of vulnerable residents. They argue that demolition should be a last resort, and only after proper notice, monitoring, and relocation plans.

Residents say they are not opposed to urban development but want transparency, accountability, and humane implementation.

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Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, has issued a strict November 10 deadline to members of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to comply with the Lekki e-call up system following repeated violations by tanker operators.

Speaking during a meeting with NUPENGNUPENG executives at the Ministry of Transportation’s conference room in Alausa, Ikeja, Osiyemi expressed concern over the continuous disregard for the online booking system.

He said the violations have encouraged illegal cash payments and indiscriminate parking of tankers along the Lekki-Epe corridor, causing congestion and disrupting traffic management efforts.

The commissioner reaffirmed that the e-call up platform is designed to ensure every truck is validated and cleared before accessing designated parking areas, leaving no room for shortcuts or manual processing.

He warned that the state government would begin strict enforcement against defaulters who fail to comply by the deadline.

NUPENG officials at the meeting pledged to immediately sensitise their members and ensure full adherence to the directive, while also working with the ministry to resolve other operational issues raised during the discussion.

Senior officials of the Lekki e-call up system and top management staff of the Ministry of Transportation were also present at the meeting.

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The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) has sealed an ongoing construction project and issued a 72-hour ultimatum to another property within the Lekki–Ikoyi corridor over unauthorised development.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), LASBCA said its enforcement team on Thursday sealed a building under construction on Femi Okunnu Road, Alexander Avenue, after the developers failed to obtain the necessary building permits.

The agency emphasised that strict adherence to building regulations is vital to curb the spread of illegal developments and to maintain safety and order in Lagos’ fast-growing urban landscape.

In a related action, LASBCA issued a 72-hour notice to QMB Mart, directing the removal of all illegal structures erected on Coastal Road and beneath the powerline.

According to the Special Adviser to the Governor on E-GIS and Urban Development, Dr. Olajide Abiodun, the affected space had been designated strictly as a parking area. However, occupants allegedly converted it into a commercial hub, setting up a laundromat, clubhouse, and eatery without official approval.

“Development in Lagos must follow due process,” Abiodun said. “Any structure erected without approval or any change of use of government-allocated spaces without authorisation is illegal. The state remains committed to enforcing its master plan.”

LASBCA’s General Manager, Gbaye Florence, reaffirmed the agency’s determination to intensify monitoring across all development zones.

“Our mandate is to ensure that buildings in Lagos are safe and meet global standards,” she said. “Any developer who flouts building regulations will face enforcement measures.”

The agency maintained that its state-wide enforcement exercise will continue as part of efforts to eliminate unsafe and unauthorised structures, ensuring a safer and more orderly Lagos.

Earlier this week, LASBCA announced plans to step up inspections and compliance drives across all 57 local government and local council development areas, reinforcing the state government’s commitment to public safety and urban discipline.

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The Lagos State Government has demolished 17 illegal buildings in Oral Estate II, Lekki, as part of efforts to restore the Right of Way along the Ikota River and mitigate growing flood risks.

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, who led the inspection, condemned the encroachments, warning that private developers were narrowing river channels to create and sell plots, endangering surrounding communities.

“Flooding in Lagos can’t be eliminated but must be managed through responsible land use. Destroying wetlands and blocking drainage channels makes that impossible,” Wahab said.

Stop-work and seal orders were also issued at Partibons Homes Estate and Bee-Forth Estate Phase 2, where illegal reclamation activities were ongoing. Wahab noted that natural drainage systems like Channels 156 and 157, designed to direct stormwater to the Lagoon, have been compromised by unapproved developments.

The tour was conducted in coordination with the Ministry of Transportation, ahead of the Green Rail Line project. Transportation Commissioner Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi noted that auto dealers encroaching on wetlands and powerline corridors along the Lekki-Epe Expressway had been served notices, stressing the importance of preserving infrastructure corridors.

Officials also visited the Agodogba Collector Drain project at Parkview Estate, which is expected to provide major flood relief once completed.

The state government has pledged continued enforcement to restore wetlands and protect Lagos’ long-term environmental and infrastructure plans.

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The Lagos State Government has cautioned property buyers to verify land documents before making purchases, following the demolition of 17 illegal buildings along the Lekki–Epe corridor.

Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this during a joint inspection with the Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, and other top officials on Saturday.

Wahab said the enforcement drive aimed to protect wetlands, restore natural drainage, and secure the right of way for the forthcoming Green Line Rail Project.

“Our findings revealed that several automobile dealers, who were previously granted temporary approval to operate on designated sites, have brazenly exceeded their allocated boundaries. Not only have they encroached upon wetlands, but some have also erected permanent structures directly under power lines. This is a clear violation of their permits and a direct assault on our master plan,” Wahab said in a post on X.

He warned that the destruction of wetlands would worsen flooding, stressing that “Wetlands are not wastelands. They are nature’s sponge, designed to hold excess water during heavy rains.”

The commissioner added that the state, in collaboration with the Ministry of Transportation, had begun clearing illegal developments and relocating affected car dealers to approved areas.

“The Green Line is a legacy project that will commence soon, and we will not allow the selfish interests of a few to compromise the mobility and environmental safety of millions of Lagosians,” he said.

Wahab also ordered the sealing of illegal reclamation works at the Ikota River, where developers allegedly narrowed the river channel for real estate construction.

“It is heart-wrenching that individuals would deliberately destroy a critical river ecosystem for illicit real estate ventures,” he said. “Members of the public are hereby advised to always do their due diligence and ensure all documents are verified before buying properties.”

He confirmed that 17 contravening structures at the Ikota River in Oral Estate Extension had been removed and vowed continued enforcement until the river’s right of way is restored.

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The Lagos State Government has demolished 17 houses built on the right-of-way of the Ikota River in Lekki, warning residents against unlawful reclamation of wetlands and obstruction of natural waterways.

Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who led an enforcement team to the site on Saturday, said the exercise followed repeated reports of illegal developments along the river alignment. He explained that the state had earlier halted the activity, but the encroachment resumed aggressively, with attempts to sell land to unsuspecting buyers.

Wahab said the government had now taken decisive steps to clear all illegal structures and prosecute offenders, stressing that such violations worsen flooding across the state. He noted that while flooding cannot be completely prevented in a coastal city like Lagos, the government continues to invest in infrastructure to mitigate its impact through resilient drainage systems, which Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has consistently maintained.

The commissioner cited property number 156, which blocked a major drainage path, adding that it would be cleared to restore the free flow of water into the Lagos Lagoon. He added that despite the government’s daily efforts to desilt and maintain drains, some individuals persist in obstructing waterways for personal gain.

Wahab said demolition was not always the first option, as developers were sometimes asked to provide practical designs for stormwater discharge at their own cost. He described it as irresponsible for the government to spend public funds correcting problems created by private developers who profit from violating environmental regulations.

During an inspection of the Lekki–Epe corridor, Wahab lamented the massive encroachment on wetlands originally designed to absorb excess rainwater. He said drone surveillance revealed extensive damage, including the destruction of coconut trees planted to stabilise the soil.

According to him, violators were issued demolition notices on September 26 ahead of planned transport infrastructure works in the area. He explained that the inspection was intended to align environmental preservation with the Ministry of Transport’s Green Line Rail project.

Commissioner for Transport, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said the Green Line Rail, which will run from Marina to Epe, is expected to commence in December after stakeholder consultations and feasibility studies. He noted that some car dealers who were granted temporary approval to use power-line spaces had violated terms by erecting permanent structures on wetlands. Osiyemi added that the three-year rail project forms part of Lagos State’s integrated transport solution aimed at easing mobility across the metropolis.

Other areas visited during the inspection included Chevron Gate off Orchid Road, Partibon Homes, Oral Extension Phase 2, and Park View in Ikoyi.

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The recent floods in Lekki have reignited fears about the future of Lagos’s most popular real estate hub, forcing many residents to reconsider life on the peninsula.

Mrs. Abiola Adekoya, a roasted plantain seller in Agungi, narrowly escaped death when she slipped into a manhole during the September 23 downpour. “I lost ₦50,000 meant for my business, but I thank God for life,” she said.

Across Ikota and other parts of Lekki, homes, schools, and businesses counted their losses. Malls struggled to drain floodwater, schools went virtual, and many residents were stranded for hours in traffic. “We made no sales that day; customers stayed home for fear of getting stuck,” said Segun Odunbaku, a facility manager at Ikota.

Some residents are now leaving. “I moved to Lekki to compete with my friends, but it’s not worth the stress,” said Michael Paul, who plans to relocate to the mainland. But others, like account manager Damilola Adinlewa, insist on staying. “It took me six hours to get home that night. Still, I’m not leaving Lekki. The government just needs to do more.”

Experts blame poor drainage and reckless sand-filling for worsening floods. Structural engineer Abiodun Adejare warned that continuous reclamation weakens the soil and raises collapse risks.

Lagos Environment Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab has since suspended all reclamation projects lacking Environmental Impact Assessments, warning violators of demolition.

Flooding in Lekki, experts say, reflects a deeper crisis “, a city built below sea level but without the kind of billion-euro defences seen in flood-prone cities like Rotterdam.

Unless the Lagos government strengthens infrastructure and enforces environmental laws, many fear that life in Lekki will remain an expensive gamble.

Source: The Guardian

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This was contained in an official investigative report dated June 13, 2025, with reference number CB:4099/X/ADM/X/ADM/GI/T.A/VOL.6142. The report, signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police Mohammed Dahiru of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Lagos, was addressed to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, CID Annex, Alagbon Close, Ikoyi.

The report followed a petition by Mr. Ochonogor and Mr. Owolabi, who challenged the findings of an earlier investigation that led to their arraignment at the Lagos State High Court, Tafawa Balewa Square, over alleged document falsification and illegal demolition. The petition accused the previous investigation of bias, procedural errors, and misuse of public office.

However, the new police findings presented a different narrative. According to the FCID, no evidence was found to support claims that the demolition notice or land ownership documents used by Mr. Ochonogor and his associates were fraudulent.

Highlights of the investigation revealed that:

The land in question, located at Block 133, Plot 10, Lekki Peninsula Scheme I, was officially allocated in 1994 by the Lagos State Government to Major Hamza Al-Mustapha (rtd), then serving as Chief Security Officer to the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha.

Mr. Ochonogor legally acquired interest in the property through a real estate agent in 2015.

The demolition of a structure on the land was authorised by Lagos State officials and confirmed by relevant documentation. These included a demolition notice co-signed by government officials, as well as its publication in a national newspaper in 2009.

Claims made by the complainant, Dr. Obidigwe Eze, regarding ownership of the same land were found to be unsubstantiated, with police confirming that the deed of assignment submitted by him lacked valid signatures from the supposed grantors.

All relevant government documents, including affidavits of loss and registration of title, were verified as genuine and properly filed.

The report has since been forwarded to the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) for review. As of press time, the DPP has not issued a formal advisory or submitted the updated findings to the court.

The case, which has drawn attention within legal and real estate circles, is scheduled to resume on October 13, 2025.

Legal observers suggest that the recent police findings may have significant implications for the ongoing trial and could potentially lead to a dismissal of charges if adopted by the DPP.

The post Police Exonerate Lawyer and Developer in Lekki Land Dispute appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Acting through the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development, the state dismantled numerous makeshift structures and dislodged squatters, recovering firearms and dangerous weapons in the process. Several arrests were made as part of the sweep.

Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Hon. Ekundayo Alebiosu, who led the operation, confirmed the development in a statement released over the weekend.

He explained that the area had previously been cleared but quickly became a hotspot for criminal activity after the squatters returned. He said the illegal settlement had evolved into a serious security concern, used by miscreants for robbery, drug trafficking, and other unlawful acts.

Alebiosu stressed that this was not merely a case of clearing illegal buildings, but an issue of public safety. The shanties, he said, posed both environmental hazards and security risks that could no longer be ignored. He emphasized that the land is part of a planned world-class Bluewater Scheme and will feature coastal infrastructure aimed at boosting tourism and transportation in the state.

He warned that any future attempts to rebuild on the site would be swiftly dealt with, underlining the government’s commitment to maintaining order and securing waterfront areas. Ongoing surveillance and periodic enforcement will continue, he assured, to prevent any form of illegal resettlement. According to Alebiosu, this forms part of a broader effort to keep Lagos aligned with its Mega City vision safe, clean, and globally competitive.

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