By Kazeem Jimoh
Missed reactions have continue to trailed the removal of the telecommunication mast, at the premises of Epe Local Government Council of Lagos State, with accusations been peddled around.
Residents of Epe, and its environs were on Wednesday, 12th August, 2026 hit with the news of the re-arrest of the Chief of Staff (COS) to the Chairman, Epe Local Government, Hon. Tunde Odupe, over the removal of the mast and other items.
As gathered, the deteriorating condition of the mast has been observed during the administration of the immediate past Council Chairman, Hon. Adedoyin Adesanya,
Formal official letters was then written to the relevant authorities concerned to the safety warnings regarding the weak and vulnerable telecommunication infrastructure near public offices and local government areas.
According to a stakeholder, Councillor Kazeem Oniga, immediate past Councillor, Ward A3 in Epe Local Government, in a statement issue thursday, stated that it is better to clear the air, on the re-arrest of Hon. Odupe.
Said he: "Alhaji Tunde Odupe, served as the supervisor for environment, in Epe Local Government. One of the responsibilities attached to that office, is the protection of the environment."
Continuing, he said: "the issue in question concerns a telecommunication mast situated within the premises of the Epe Local Government Secretariat. When the Hon. Surah Animashaun, led administration assumed office in 2021.
"Alhaji Odupe, was appointed supervisor for environment. As the administration subsequently, observed the worsening condition of the mast, the matter was revisited.
"The supervisor for environment was directed to ensure its (mast) removal in accordance with the existing approval. It was at this point that the matter reportedly took an unexpected turn.
"Engr. Ganiyu Shakiru (Arapagi), took the matter to Abuja, and caused the arrest of Alhaji Tunde Odupe, reportedly claiming that the mast - related contract had been undertaken by his late father.
"That an outstanding balance amount of money was owed in relation to the project. Both parties were given the opportunity to present their respective positions before the police.
"A demand for substantial amount of money as compensation was reportedly made by Engr. Ganiyu Shakiru, and Alhaji Tunde, was eventually granted bail. That was year 2024.
"Subsequently, Epe Local Government revisited its records and discovered the earlier correspondence concerning the danger posed by the mast, as well as the approvals obtained from the relevant state and federal authorities for its removal.
"This discovery fundamentally changes the narrative being circulated today. The matter appeared to have gone quite until Wednesday, 12th August, 2026 when Alhaji Tunde Odupe, was reportedly, re-arrested in connection with the same matter.
"This development naturally raises legitimate questions that deserve answers. Was the mast the personal property of Engr Ganiyu Shakiru? Or, was Alhaji Tunde Odupe, acted in his personal capacity; or as a government official carrying out an environmental responsibility," he queried.
However, in his reaction, the personality at the center of the saga, Hon. Oluwatoyin Ganiyu, an engineer, who told his own side of the story, off record in an exclusive chat, warned those peddling fake alarm with his name to refrain from such destructive attitude
Ganiyu, who is also the Managing Director, Toagany Global Services, gave a brief detailed account of his relationship with the distillation and commissioning of community fixed wireless phones for Epe Local Government and riverine areas, awarded by the defunct Nigeria Telecommunication Limited.
He acknowledged that his firm was awarded the contract, contrary to what is being peddled around that his late father, won the bid, to the tune of over 176 million naira, on 5th July, 2026.
He recalled that a mast was installed at the premises of Epe Local Government Secretariat, and another at Eleko junction, as the scope of work.
While urging the public to try and understand the procedures of removing mast and other network equipments in Lagos State.
The purpose is to ensure that no mast or tower is dismantled without the appropriate statutory approvals, professional supervision, safety controls, environmental safeguards and documented closure of the facility.
Speaking further, he challenged the Epe Local Government, to produce the alledged existing approvals from relevant authorities to the public, before the infrastructure was removed and sold.
Ganiyu, expressed that when Odupe, was initially arrested in 2024, there was an amicable settlement, of paying him 50 million naira, as compensation, before his release from police custody.
He said 10 million naira, NIP transfer from ADEK . O ENVIRONMENTAL/PAINT DISTRIBUTOR, was paid to him on 10th December, 2024 as part payment, with an understanding of redeeming the remaining 40 million naira.
Ever since then, all efforts to retrieved the the remaining 40 million naira, balance pledged has proved abortive.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Staff (COS) to the Epe Local Government Chairman, Hon. Tunde Odupe, in an official statement on the recent reports concerning the telecommunication mast in Epe Local Government Secretariat, he issued, said his hands are clean in the matter, narrating how he honoured an invitation extended to him by the police in Abuja.
The statement read thus: "I am aware of the rumour making the rounds that I was arrested in Abuja, in connection with the alledged stealing of a telecommunication mast, in Epe Local Government."
"I wish to state clearly and categorically that this claim is false and does not represent what actually happened. For the avoidance of doubt, I was not arrested for stealing any telecommunication mast.
"What happened was that I received an invitation from the Police in Abuja, in connection with an issue concerning a telecommunication mast in Epe Local Government.
"I honoured the invitation, presented myself before the appropriate authorities and proved the necessary explanations and clarification regarding the matter.
"The telecommunication mast in question was not removed secretly, unlawfully or for personal benefit. The Local Government acted based on the necessary approvals and official processes.
"Including, approvals obtained from the appropriate authorities at the Lagos State and Federal Government levels.
"As I speak with you today, I am right here in Epe, safe and sound, carrying out my normal responsibilities," he asserted.
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