By Aaior K. Comfort

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has dismissed his Special Assistant on Forestry (Central Senatorial District), Adeboye Taofiq Ewenla, for allegedly soliciting a N30 million bribe from timber merchants in the state.

Ewenla was reportedly caught in a recorded phone conversation demanding the bribe before granting permission for the merchants to operate in Ondo’s forests. The recording was sent to Governor Aiyedatiwa by the merchants after they decided to expose the issue.

In the audio, Ewenla allegedly instructed the traders not to begin any forestry operations without making the payment.

Following the allegations, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, issued a statement confirming the dismissal. Governor Aiyedatiwa also ordered a thorough investigation into the management of forest reserves in the state.

A replacement for Ewenla will be announced soon, with the governor reminding political appointees to uphold the law in carrying out their duties.