By: Lauretta Fagbohun, Abeokuta.

The Ogun State House of Assembly has issued a warrant compelling the attendance of Alhaji Tajudeen Abioye, Managing Director of Ojibas Nigeria Limited, over allegations of environmental degradation resulting from the company’s mining operations in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area.

The Assembly also directed the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Lanre Ogunlowo, to execute the warrant without delay and produce the Managing Director before the lawmakers to respond to a petition against his company.

The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, gave the directive after adopting the report of the House Committee on Environment, which investigated a petition submitted by the Elegan Progressive Community. The committee’s report accused Ojibas Nigeria Limited and I.J. Amaka Group of Companies of engaging in illegal mining activities that caused extensive environmental damage, including the destruction of roads, water sources, and farmlands.

Elemide, invoking Section 129(1)(d) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), stated: “By the powers conferred on me, I hereby issue a warrant compelling the attendance of Alhaji Tajudeen Abioye before this Honourable House.The Commissioner of Police is therefore directed to execute the warrant as a matter of urgency and public importance.”

The report further revealed that despite multiple invitations from the committee, Alhaji Abioye failed to appear before the Assembly, prompting the issuance of the warrant to enforce his attendance.

Reaffirming the Assembly’s resolve to uphold environmental justice and accountability, the Speaker warned that the House would not tolerate anyqqqq form of exploitation thatq endangers lives or livelihoods in the state.

In a related development, residents of the Elegan Progressive Community, led by Pastor Samuel Fadeyinoluwa, staged a peaceful protest at the Assembly Complex in Abeokuta. The protesters, representing communities such as Abisodun, Adeolu, Oke-Odo, Oluwo Osin, Aiyetoro, Age, Ajerogun, and Bisodun, decried the massive environmental degradation allegedly caused by Ojibas Nigeria Limited and called for urgent government intervention.

Addressing the protesters, Speaker Elemide assured them that the House Committee on Environment was already investigating the matter and that appropriate legislative measures would be taken to ensure justice and
environmental restoration.