Ondo State Governor, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa, yesterday sacked his Special Assistant on Forestry (Central Senatorial District), Hon Adeboye Taofiq Ewenla, over an N30 million bribery allegation levelled against him.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, Aiyedatiwa ordered that Ewenla sack take immediate effect.
LEADERSHIP learnt that Ewenla, in a leaked audio, demanded N30 million from timber traders operating in the state forest and threatened to stop them from operating in the forest reserves if they failed to meet his demand.
The threat by Ewenla infuriated the timber traders, who vowed to embark on protest following an alleged claim by the aide that he was acting on Aiyedatiwa’s order.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, however, ordered an investigation into the allegation and informed that the aide would soon be replaced.
The governor further stated that the activities of everyone manning the forest reserves across the state would be looked into.
He said, “The Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has dismissed the Special Assistant on Forestry (Central Senatorial District), Mr Adeboye Taofiq Ewenla, immediately.
“This followed allegations of bribery and intimidation levelled against Mr Ewenla by some timber merchants in the state. Governor Aiyedatiwa also ordered a probe into the activities of those saddled with the responsibility of managing forest reserves in the state.
“A replacement for Mr Ewenla will be announced in due course. The Governor urged all political appointees to conduct themselves in line with the provisions of the law and rules guiding their duties.”
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