The Managing Director of the Ogun State Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA), Mr. Abayomi Hunye, has issued a strong warning of legal action against a group of individuals. This group, claiming to represent waste management vendors, has accused him of extortion and unfair practices.
Allegations and Firm Denial
On Monday, a protest took place in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, where demonstrators levelled serious accusations against the OGWAMA boss. They alleged persistent extortion, the imposition of arbitrary levies, and attempts to force out long-standing operators in the scrap and recycling sector.
In a swift and forceful response, Mr. Hunye dismissed these claims. He described them as false, baseless, and mischievous, arguing they were designed solely to damage his reputation and that of the agency he leads.
"The allegations of extortion against my person are completely unfounded and baseless," Hunye stated. "At no point have I demanded or collected money from any operator, either directly or indirectly."
Defending Process and Questioning Timing
Hunye addressed the specific issue of fee adjustments, which was a central point of the protest. He clarified that the fee changes under discussion were not a new development. They were implemented back in 2024, and he expressed surprise that the matter was being resurrected in 2026 after it had been settled.
He also noted that while the protesters claimed to have sent petitions to the Ogun State House of Assembly and the Commissioner of Police, OGWAMA never received any official communication from these offices regarding the matter.
Emphasizing transparency, Hunye explained the agency's financial protocol. "All payments made by operators go directly into designated state government accounts. OGWAMA does not collect cash, and I have no personal interest in these payments beyond ensuring that due process and the law are strictly followed," he added.
Division Within the Ranks and Counter-Accusations
The situation revealed a clear split among waste management operators. While one group protested, another faction came out in solidarity with Mr. Abayomi Hunye, carrying placards to express confidence in his leadership.
More significantly, the Chairman of the Association of Waste Management Vendors and Recyclers of Nigeria (AWMVRN), Mr. Adesanya Kunle, publicly disowned the protesters. He identified them as former members who were suspended indefinitely in 2023 over alleged fraudulent activities and illegal practices.
Kunle disclosed that after their suspension, this group formed a new association without state government approval. He accused them of staging the protest because Hunye refused to condone their corrupt activities. "The reason they staged the protest... was because he is a man who would not condone corruption, and this set of people wanted him to approve or embrace their corrupt acts," Kunle asserted.
Mr. Hunye concluded by stressing that his primary concern is protecting his integrity and OGWAMA's credibility, insisting the agency operates within its legal powers to review fees when necessary.
