The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Ogun State Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA), Mr. Abayomi Hunye, has dismissed allegations of extortion levelled against him by members of the Association of Waste Management Vendors and Recyclers of Nigeria (AWMVRN), describing the claims as false, baseless and a calculated attempt to tarnish his integrity and that of the agency.
Members of the group had, on Monday, staged a protest in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, accusing Hunye of extortion, arbitrary levies and attempts to sideline long-standing operators in the scrap and recycling sector.
Speaking during a media parley with journalists at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Hall, Iweroyin, Abeokuta, on Thursday, Hunye said he was considering legal action against those behind the allegations, stressing that his primary concern was the protection of his personal reputation and the credibility of OGWAMA.
“The allegations of extortion against my person are completely unfounded and baseless. At no point have I demanded or collected money from any operator, either directly or indirectly,” Hunye stated.
He explained that OGWAMA operates strictly within its statutory mandate, noting that the adjustment of fees being questioned was lawfully implemented in 2024 and not a recent development.
“The issue being raised has already been addressed. The association claimed to have written petitions to the Ogun State House of Assembly and the Commissioner of Police, yet no official communication was received by OGWAMA from any of these offices. I find it curious that a matter settled in 2024 is being resurrected in 2026,” he said.
Clarifying the distinction between extortion and lawful revenue collection, Hunye noted that all payments made by operators are remitted directly into designated state government accounts, adding that OGWAMA does not collect cash.
“Extortion involves illegal collection for personal gain. OGWAMA does not collect cash, and I have no personal interest in these payments beyond ensuring that due process and the law are followed,” he added.
The OGWAMA boss also used the occasion to caution residents against indiscriminate waste disposal, warning that dumping refuse on highways and unauthorised locations violates Ogun State environmental laws. He disclosed that offenders face a N25,000 fine, while those unable to pay may be prosecuted and, upon conviction, risk a fine of up to N2 million or a three-month jail term.
Meanwhile, the media parley drew support for Hunye, as some association members present displayed placards expressing solidarity with the OGWAMA boss and endorsing his leadership.
Speaking on behalf of the association, its Chairman, Mr. Adesanya Kunle, dismissed the protesters as impostors, insisting they were suspended indefinitely in 2023 for alleged involvement in unlawful practices.
According to Adesanya, the suspended members later formed a separate group—Association of Waste Managers, Vendors and Recyclers of Nigeria—without the approval of the state government.
“All these people parading themselves as authentic members are not. They were suspended in 2023 due to illegal practices against OGWAMA and the state government,” Adesanya said, adding that relevant security agencies were formally notified at the time.
He accused the protesters of targeting Hunye because of his refusal to compromise standards. “They staged the protest because Mr. Hunye would not condone corruption. When they couldn’t have their way, they resorted to unfounded allegations,” he stated.
As tensions linger, OGWAMA insists it remains committed to transparency, lawful regulation and environmental sustainability, while the agency’s leadership signals it will not shy away from legal remedies to defend its credibility.