Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has dismissed his Special Assistant on Forestry for the Central Senatorial District, Adeboye Taofiq Ewenla, following allegations of bribery amounting to N30 million.

In a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, Aiyedatiwa announced that an investigation into the allegations would be conducted, and the dismissal is effective immediately.
Ewenla was reportedly recorded in a leaked audio demanding N30 million from timber traders in the state, threatening them with exclusion from forest reserves if they failed to comply.

Outraged by Ewenla’s demands, the timber traders threatened to protest, claiming that he was acting on the governor’s orders.

Aiyedatiwa indicated that Ewenla’s replacement would be announced soon and emphasized that the actions of everyone overseeing forest reserves in the state would be scrutinized.

He stated, “The Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has dismissed Mr. Adeboye Taofiq Ewenla from his position as Special Assistant on Forestry (Central Senatorial District) due to allegations of bribery and intimidation raised by timber merchants in the state. A probe into the activities of those responsible for managing forest reserves will follow, and a replacement for Mr. Ewenla will be announced in due course. The Governor urged all political appointees to adhere strictly to the law and the regulations governing their duties.”