Governor Seyi Makinde’s government has suspended the Sobaloju of Ofiki, Atisbo LGA, Jacob Adefabi, over alleged illegal mining activities in the community.

A statement on Tuesday said that Mr Adefabi was suspended for violating the governor’s Executive Order 001/2023 and for encouraging trespassing on government-gazetted assets.

The order regulates mining activities in the state.

Mr Adefabi was accused of violating the said order as well as allegedly issuing consent letters to mining companies without proper authorisation, permitting mining activities in the state government’s reserved forest, and facilitating unauthorised mining operations.

The statement said the chief’s suspension was intended to protect the community and the state’s interests.

A letter by the director of chieftaincy matters in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, A.M. Olajire, indicated that Mr Adefabi had been suspended from the palace of the Onito of Ito effective January 5, pending the outcome of the investigation into the allegations.

It added that his suspension was a precautionary measure to ensure the integrity of the investigation.

The government directed the embattled chief to refrain from all activities related to mining, not to interfere with the investigation into the allegations against him, and to make himself available for inquiry by the investigating team.

(NAN)