Governor bars farmers from forest reserves
The Ondo State Government has ordered all occupants of the Oluwa Forest Reserve in Odigbo Local Government Area to vacate the land immediately.
It was gathered that thousands of farmers had been cultivating the approximately 10,000-hectare forest for years before a court issued an order requiring them to leave, pending the resolution of a legal dispute between them and the state government.
The Ondo State Government Agribusiness Empowerment Centre had approached a Grade A Customary Court sitting in Ore, Odigbo Local Government, and sought an order to restrain the farmers and other occupants from entering the forest.
Consequently, the court, presided over by Mr. B.E. Adenigbo, granted an interim injunction preventing the farmers and other occupants from accessing the forest until the court determines the pending motion on notice.
In a copy of the ruling made available to our correspondent, the court president stated:
“I have considered the fulcrum of the application as clearly shown on the face of the motion paper as well as the depositions in the affidavit. It is my firm view that it ought to be and is hereby granted.
“An interim order of injunction restraining the defendants (farmers) from further entering into the plaintiff’s parcel of farmland and its appurtenances, known as Field O.A3.A in Oluwa Forest, Odigbo LGA, measuring approximately 10,000 hectares, is hereby granted.”
Following the ruling, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Agriculture and Agribusiness, Mr. Rotimi Akinsola, issued a statement on Thursday, instructing the farmers to vacate the forest immediately.
Akinsola, who also serves as the state Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture and Food Security, warned that anyone caught violating the court order would face legal consequences.
“This is to inform all farmers farming at Oluwa Forest Reserve in Odigbo Local Government to vacate the area immediately,” the statement read.
“This follows the ruling of the Ore Grade A Customary Court sitting in Odigbo, in suit number ORCC/18/2025, which on February 19, 2025, issued an interim order restraining farmers and Sao Capital Limited from further accessing the 10,000-hectare parcel of land at Field O.A3.A in Oluwa Forest Reserve.
“Henceforth, no one should trespass on the land. Anyone found violating this order will face the full wrath of the law.”
