Oyo suspends chief over illegal mining

The Oyo State Government has suspended the Sobaloju of Ofiki in Atisbo LGA, Chief Jacob Adefabi, over alleged involvement in illegal mining activities. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Print Media, Mr. Moses Alao, said Adefabi was suspended for allegedly violating the state’s Executive Order 001/2023 and for […]

The Oyo State Government has suspended the Sobaloju of Ofiki in Atisbo LGA, Chief Jacob Adefabi, over alleged involvement in illegal mining activities.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Print Media, Mr. Moses Alao, said Adefabi was suspended for allegedly violating the state’s Executive Order 001/2023 and for encouraging trespassing on government-gazetted assets.
He explained that Executive Order 001/2023 was established to regulate mining activities across the state.
He accused Adefabi of violating the order by allegedly issuing consent letters to mining companies without proper authorisation, and also permitting mining activities in the state government’s reserved forests and facilitating unauthorised mining operations.
According to the statement, the suspension is intended to protect the community and the interests of the state. (NAN)

A letter signed by the Director of Chieftaincy Matters in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr. A.M. Olajire, indicated that Adefabi had been suspended from the palace of the Onito of Ito effective January 5, pending the outcome of an investigation into the allegations.
The government directed the embattled chief to refrain from all mining-related activities and warned him not to interfere with the ongoing probe.
He was also instructed to make himself available for inquiry by the investigating team. (NAN)