Outrage in Lagos as Former Ojo LG Candidate, Akogun Slams Sanwo-Olu Over Solar Permit Fees

 By Peter Dansu 

A wave of criticism has trailed the Lagos State Government’s decision to introduce solar permit fees in housing estates, with Olumayowa Akogun-Abudu launching a fierce attack on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu over what he described as an anti-people policy.

Akogun-Abudu, a military veteran and former aspirant of Lagos State House of Assembly as well as Ojo Local Government chairmanship candidate, condemned the move in a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday, April 23, 2026, to News Peddlers. He argued that the policy targets residents who have turned to solar energy as a survival strategy amid persistent power outages.

Describing the fee as exploitative, he said the government was effectively punishing citizens for finding alternatives to a problem it has failed to solve.

“This solar permit fee is not just bad policy; it is daylight exploitation of Lagosians,” he said. “After years of failing to deliver stable electricity, your government now wants to tax survival.”

He maintained that thousands of residents who invested personal funds into renewable energy solutions did so out of necessity, not luxury, and should not be burdened with additional levies.

Akogun-Abudu also questioned the administration’s priorities, accusing it of focusing more on revenue generation than improving basic services. According to him, the policy reflects a widening gap between governance and the everyday realities faced by citizens dealing with rising living costs and weak infrastructure.

“This is not governance; this is extortion dressed up as regulation,” he added. “Instead of fixing the power crisis, you have chosen to profit from it. No serious government penalizes innovation, self-reliance, and resilience.”

As opposition to the policy grows across Lagos housing estates, he called for its immediate and total reversal, insisting the government lacks the moral standing to impose such charges.

“If you cannot provide electricity, you have no moral justification to tax those who provide it for themselves. This policy must be scrapped completely and immediately,” he said.

He further warned that the political consequences of the decision could be significant, stressing that voters would not forget policies they perceive as burdensome.

“Lagosians are watching. And they will remember.”

Outrage in Lagos as Military Veteran Slams Sanwo-Olu Over Solar Permit Fees

By Peter Dansu 

A wave of criticism has trailed the Lagos State Government’s decision to introduce solar permit fees in housing estates, with Olumayowa Akogun-Abudu launching a fierce attack on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu over what he described as an anti-people policy.

Akogun-Abudu, a military veteran and former aspirant of Lagos State House of Assembly as well as Ojo Local Government chairmanship candidate, condemned the move in a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday, April 23, 2026, to News Peddlers. He argued that the policy targets residents who have turned to solar energy as a survival strategy amid persistent power outages.

Describing the fee as exploitative, he said the government was effectively punishing citizens for finding alternatives to a problem it has failed to solve.

“This solar permit fee is not just bad policy; it is daylight exploitation of Lagosians,” he said. “After years of failing to deliver stable electricity, your government now wants to tax survival.”

He maintained that thousands of residents who invested personal funds into renewable energy solutions did so out of necessity, not luxury, and should not be burdened with additional levies.

Akogun-Abudu also questioned the administration’s priorities, accusing it of focusing more on revenue generation than improving basic services. According to him, the policy reflects a widening gap between governance and the everyday realities faced by citizens dealing with rising living costs and weak infrastructure.

“This is not governance; this is extortion dressed up as regulation,” he added. “Instead of fixing the power crisis, you have chosen to profit from it. No serious government penalizes innovation, self-reliance, and resilience.”

As opposition to the policy grows across Lagos housing estates, he called for its immediate and total reversal, insisting the government lacks the moral standing to impose such charges.

“If you cannot provide electricity, you have no moral justification to tax those who provide it for themselves. This policy must be scrapped completely and immediately,” he said.

He further warned that the political consequences of the decision could be significant, stressing that voters would not forget policies they perceive as burdensome.

“Lagosians are watching. And they will remember.”

Group Asks AGF, DPP to Review Case Against Lawyer, Victor Giwa, Other

By Peter Dansu 

A Civil Society Organization, Africa Center for Good Governance and Corruption Free Communities, has asked the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and the Director of Public Prosecution in the Ministry of Justice, Mr. Rotimi  Oyedepo, to review the criminal case against a lawyer, Barrister Victor Giwa, and two others. 

According to the group, the case began as a civil matter and was turned into a criminal matter by the former AGF, Abubakar Malami, SAN. 

Convener of the group, Temitope Olubunmi Joseph, called for a thorough review of the matter to unravel the truth. 

The group described the charge filed against Victor Giwa and others as a witch hunt. 

The group said, "This is supposed to be a civil matter; the question we should ask is, at what point did it turn into a criminal matter. 

"We know the Honorable AGF Fagbemi and the newly hardworking DPP, Oyedepo, are yet to turn their minds to looking at the matter critically. 

"We are using this medium to call on them to revisit this matter and call for a fresh investigation. 

"The last administration in the ministry led by Malami used his office to intimidate and harass Giwa and his client, Cecil Osakwe, over a property owned y Osakwe, located at No. 1, Me Long Close, Maitama, Abuja.

"We plead with the AGF to once again look into the matter and order a fresh investigation, so as not to punish an innocent person".

Justice Samira Bature of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting in Maitama, issued an arrest warrant against Giwa and a police official, Edith Erhunmuuse.

They were to be arraigned with another defendant, Cecil Osakwe, on a nine-count charge, marked FCT/HC/CR/222/2023, brought against them by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

They are in charge and accused of engaging in criminal conduct, involving the forceful eviction of occupants and property damage estimated at N300 million.

The convener said the eviction being complained of for which they were charged was ordered by a court. 

"Without the order of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, the eviction could not have been carried out", he said.