ABEOKUTA - The Ogun Government has said that it will establish a special mobile court to try people encroaching on its forestry reserves.
The Commissioner for Forestry, Alhaji Alli Ajibode, disclosed this in an interview with the newsmen on Monday in Abeokuta.
Ajibode said the mobile court had become desirable, to prosecute “recalcitrant” persons who continued to operate illegally at various government forestry reserves across the state.
According to him, the government is generating N17 million yearly from forestry while losing billions of naira to illegal activities being perpetrated by farmers and hunters.
“We have an enabling forestry law which permit us to establish a mobile court to try those encroaching on our forest reserves across the state.
“We are ready for serious business and we will not hesitate to try those found wanting. We will also continue to enlighten the people on the importance of preserving the forest,’ he added.
The commissioner disclosed that two persons were currently being prosecuted in the regular court for various offences.
He said the condition of forests in the state was unacceptable, adding that the government was poised to reclaim lost areas from encroachers as October deadline had been given to them.
Ogun has nine forest reserves with the Omo Forest in Ijebu area, covering 137,000 hectares as the largest.
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