The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources in Lagos State, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, has addressed recent allegations of extortion, specifically related to traders at Ladipo Market, a bustling hub for auto spare parts in the state.

Wahab’s response came after claims surfaced that some Ladipo traders were allegedly forced to pay exorbitant sums, as high as N70 million collectively, in exchange for the reopening of their shops, which had been temporarily closed for various reasons.

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The commissioner urged the affected traders to provide specific details regarding any such payments and the individuals involved.

He stated, “We take allegations of extortion very seriously. If any trader or business owner in Lagos State has experienced such extortion, we encourage them to come forward with concrete information about who they paid and under what circumstances.”

Mr. Wahab took the opportunity to caution Lagosians against falling victim to scammers and unscrupulous individuals. He clarified that, except for instances where citizens are genuinely indebted to the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) for services rendered, no one should be required to pay any official any form of money or bribe to have their facility or market reopened.

“Except you are owing @Lawma_gov for services rendered, you are not required to pay any official any money(bribe) to get your facility/market re-opened. Please do not fall victim to a scammer. The drive to ensure a cleaner & safer environment is in-line with Gov Sanwo-Olu led administration’s T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda.”

The commissioner emphasized the commitment of the Lagos State Government to ensuring transparency, fairness, and the rule of law in all its interactions with residents and businesses. He assured the public that the government would thoroughly investigate any reported cases of extortion and take appropriate action to address them.

This statement from Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab reflects the government’s dedication to upholding ethical standards and providing a conducive environment for businesses to thrive in Lagos State.

Rtn. Victor Ojelabi

Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.