The Governor of Ondo State, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has dismissed one of his special assistants, Adeboye Ewenla, over allegations of bribery.
Ewenla, who served as the Special Assistant on Forestry (Central Senatorial District), was accused of involvement in corrupt practices by some timber traders in the state.
In a statement on Wednesday, Aiyedatiwa’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, said Ewenla’s dismissal was with immediate effect.
Adeniyan said, “Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has dismissed from office the Special Assistant on Forestry (Central Senatorial District) with immediate effect. This followed allegations of bribery and intimidation leveled against Mr. Ewenla by some timber merchants. Governor Aiyedatiwa has also ordered a probe into the activities of those responsible for managing the forest reserves in the state.
“A replacement for Mr. Ewenla will be announced in due course. The governor urges all political appointees to conduct themselves in line with the provisions of the law and the rules guiding their duties.”
But reacting to the development in a statement on Wednesday, Ewenla denied the bribery allegation, claiming it was a plot to tarnish his image.
He stated, “I would like to categorically state that the allegation is false and was orchestrated to tarnish my image because I was considered a major stumbling block to illegal activities in government forest reserves.
“Ondo State Government has already banned deforestation of any kind and prevented unauthorised activities in the forest reserves. Before anyone can operate, they have to pay a certain amount into the government coffers. The money being talked about is meant for the government, not my personal account.”
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