A High Court sitting in Ore, Ondo State, on Monday, bolstered the fight of farmers within the Oluwa Forest Reserve as it granted a key application in their ongoing legal battle against SAO Agro-Allied Services Limited, a firm allegedly linked to the Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture, Mr Ayo Sotinrin.
The court, in a ruling that stirred relief among the farmers, granted leave to their counsel, Tope Temokun Esq., to substitute the name of the former chairman of the Ondo State Agricultural Empowerment Centre, Mr Akin Olotu, with that of Mr Rotimi Wemimo, the current head of the agency.
Wemimo had previously attempted to evict the farmers from their lands, relying on a controversial order from a customary court, a move believed to have been made to bypass the ongoing proceedings before the High Court.
Following the court session, lead counsel, Barrister Tope Temokun, engaged in a lengthy meeting with the visibly anxious farmers, updating them on the progress of the case. In his usual passionate address, Temokun described the ruling as a victory against corporate power and a major leap towards justice.
“Today’s orders remove technical obstacles and let us confront the central issue: the protection of poor farmers against corporate overreach. Justice is inching closer,” he told the farmers.
The farmers, many of whom have cultivated the forest land for years and paid millions of naira in rent to the Ondo State Government, expressed renewed hope and a stronger resolve to defend their only source of livelihood from what they termed as aggressive encroachment.
Temokun explained that with the substitution granted, all necessary parties are now properly joined in the case, a move that would ensure any ruling made by the court would be binding and enforceable on everyone involved.
“This clears the way for a substantive hearing where justice can be truly served. We are now fully set to challenge the abuse of power and reclaim the rights of the people,” he added.
Meanwhile, the court maintained its earlier injunction, directing all parties to sustain the status quo until June 5, 2025, when the matter is scheduled for definite hearing. An application for accelerated hearing had earlier been granted to the Defendant.
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