The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Ogun State Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA), Mr. Abayomi Hunye, has warned residents to desist from dumping refuse on major roads and other unauthorised locations, noting that such acts violate environmental laws and attract severe penalties.

Hunye stated that Ogun State environmental regulations prescribe a fine of ₦25,000 for anyone caught dumping waste illegally. He added that offenders who fail to pay the fine would be prosecuted and, upon conviction, may face a fine of up to ₦2 million or a three-month jail term.

According to him, OGWAMA will not hesitate to initiate legal action to ensure compliance with the law.

Reacting to allegations of extortion levelled against him by a group claiming to be members of the Association of Waste Management Vendors and Recyclers of Nigeria (AWMVRN), Hunye said he would pursue legal action to protect his integrity.

Recall that the group had on Monday staged a protest in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, accusing Hunye of extortion, arbitrary levies, and attempts to edge out long-standing operators in the scrap and recycling sector.

However, the Chairman of AWMVRN, Mr. Adesanya Kunle, distanced the association from the protest, describing the demonstrators as former members who were suspended in 2023 over alleged fraudulent activities.

Addressing journalists during a media parley in Abeokuta on Thursday, Hunye dismissed the allegations as false, baseless, and mischievous, stating that they were aimed at tarnishing his image and that of the agency.

“The allegations of extortion against my person are completely unfounded. At no point have I demanded or collected money from any operator, either directly or indirectly,” he said.

Hunye explained that the matter had already been resolved, noting that although the association claimed to have submitted petitions to the Ogun State House of Assembly and the Commissioner of Police, OGWAMA received no official communication from either office.

He further clarified that the fee adjustment being referenced was implemented in 2024 and questioned why the issue was being resurrected in 2026 after it had been settled.

“Extortion involves the illegal collection of money for personal gain. All payments by operators are made directly into designated state government accounts. OGWAMA does not collect cash, and I have no personal interest in these payments beyond ensuring strict adherence to due process and the law,” Hunye said.

He stressed that his primary concern remains the protection of his integrity and the credibility of OGWAMA, adding that the agency operates strictly within its statutory mandate to review and adjust fees when necessary.