Gov Aiyedatiwa fires aide over alleged demand for bribe

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa fired Adeboye Taofiq Ewenla, his Special Assistant for Forestry (Central Senatorial District), on Wednesday due to allegations of bribery totalling N30 million. 

Aiyedatiwa ordered an investigation into the claims in a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan. He also stated that the dismissal is effective immediately. 

In an audio recording that was leaked, Ewenla threatened to remove timber dealers operating in the state unless they paid N30 million, or else they would be expelled from the forest reserves.

Enraged by the governor's aide's demand, the timber traders promised to stage a demonstration after Ewenla purportedly claimed to be acting at Aiyedatiwa's request. 

Aiyedatiwa, who revealed that Ewenla will shortly be removed, said that investigations would be conducted into the actions of all those in charge of the state's forest reserves.

He said: “The Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has dismissed from office the Special Assistant on Forestry (Central Senatorial District), Mr. Adeboye Taofiq Ewenla, with immediate effect.

“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.”

Source