The Ondo State Government has denied claims that it sold farmland in the Oluwa Forest Reserve to a private company, SAO Agro-Allied Services Limited, forcing cocoa farmers off their land.
Over the weekend, many farmers in the Odigbo Local Government Area protested against the state government and the company. They accused the government of teaming up with the firm to destroy their plantations and take over their land.
The farmers also alleged that Mr Ayo Sotinrin, the former head of SAO Agro-Allied Services and now Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture, was behind the takeover with the help of the state government.
But in a statement released on Wednesday, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Mr Ebenezer Adeniyan, said the claims were false and meant to damage reputations.
“It is important to clarify that Mr Ayo Sotinrin is the Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture, a Federal Government institution. Allegations implying that he is using a private firm to seize farmlands are malicious, unfounded, and a clear attempt at character assassination,” the statement said.
The government also explained that SAO Agro-Allied Services has been operating legally under a Public-Private Partnership agreement since 2021 and that all actions taken followed due process.
“None of its activities involves the unlawful takeover of legally secured farms,” it added.
According to the government, some farmers broke earlier agreements by farming outside the approved areas in the forest reserve.
“Many of the aggrieved farmers currently occupying parts of the Oluwa Forest Reserve have breached existing agreements and exceeded designated land allocation. Some have even entered restricted zones without approval,” the statement said.
It also addressed claims that the government ignored court orders. “All actions by the government and its partners have followed legal advice and documented notices. No illegal steps have been taken.”
The government also cleared Rotimi Akinsola, the governor’s aide on agribusiness, of any wrongdoing. It said Akinsola was not involved in any land grabbing but was only managing large-scale agricultural projects meant to create jobs and grow the economy.
“Akinsola’s role is to help manage land for investors in agriculture. Claims that he is grabbing land are false and politically motivated,” it said.
Governor Aiyedatiwa’s office said it remains open to discussions with all sides and will continue to support both farmers and investors fairly.
“This administration remains committed to transparency, environmental sustainability, and the growth of agriculture as the backbone of the state’s economy,” the statement added.
