Ondo Govts goes Tough On impostors in Forest Reserves

Ondo state Government in partnership with a human rights group, Active Success and Empowerment Initiative (ASEI) are set to flush out all local Chiefs otherwise known as Olus and other illegal settlers in it’s forest reserves.This follows series of negative reports and allegations against the self imposed Olus taking undue advantage of wood contractors within the forest reserves.

In a letter titled “Authorization to Proceed on Lawful Arrest & Prosecution of Persons Disguising As Traditional Rulers Referred as Olus Within Government Forest Reserves” government described the activities of self imposed Olus as inimical to the future economic survival of the state.

According to the approval, the impostors have not only impersonated the state government but extorting timber merchants doing legitimate business with government.

The Olus in coniviance with the illegal settlers were also accused of arrogating to themselves powers to allocate forest reserves to enchroachers while geniue timber merchants who refuses to transact business with them are being molested and dehumanized. 

Worried by these serious infractions on the rights and privileges of timbers contractors in the state, a human rights group, Active Success & Empowerment Initiative based in Akure filed a petition on behalf of an accredited timber feller, Mr. Omoniyi Aro who was allegedly assaulted by some illegal settlers under the instruction of one of the Olus. 

In the petition signed by barrister N.M. Ogungbemi, the victim narrated how he was tied to the tree in the forest at gun point and given the beating of his life before his logs were forcefully seized and transported to an unknown destination.

The National President of the Human Rights Group, Sir. Adewumi Babalola while commending the favorable disposition of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN to the rule of law and speedy dispensation of justice in the state said the approval will return sanity to all the sixteen forest reserves in the state. He therefore assured all the parties involved in the matter that ASEI will carry out the assignment with utmost caution and professionalism.

Ondomind