The Ondo State Government has ordered over 5,000 farmers in the Oluwa Forest Reserve in Odigbo Local Government Area to vacate the land immediately.
The eviction directive is contained in a statement issued on Thursday in Akure by the Senior Special Assistant to Governor on Agriculture and Agribusiness, Mr Rotimi Akinsola.
Akinsola hinged the decision on a Customary Court order restraining the farmers from accessing the forest reserve.
“This is to inform all farmers farming at Oluwa Forest Reserve in Odigbo Local Government to vacate the area immediately.
“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,” he stated.
Akinsola warned that anyone caught violating the court order would face legal consequence.
Over 5,000 farmers were cultivating the 10,000-hectare forest for years before the state government approached a Grade A Customary Court sitting in Ore, Odigbo Local Government, and sought an order restraining the farmers and other occupants from entering the forest.
However, the court granted an interim injunction preventing the farmers and other occupants from accessing the forest until the court determines the motion on notice filed by the state government.
