Former chairman of Cross River State Anti-Deforestation Task Force (ATF), Prince Odey Oyama has alleged that government appointees are those aiding illegal wood logging in the vast forests in parts of the state.
He said this in a letter sent to the current chairman of the state forestry commission, Chief Tony Undiandeye, rejecting the invitation to attend a stakeholders’ meeting to discuss factors militating against the plundering of the forests.
He recalled when Undiandeye alongside the former permanent secretary of the commission and now Head of Service in the state, Timothy Omang Akwaji allegedly colluded and released three trucks of impounded timbers when he held sway as anti-deforestation boss to the suspects.
“The records available in the office of the Police Area Commander at Okuni in Ikom LGA would show that Chief Tony Undiandeye, the Chairman of the Cross River State Forestry Commission, as well as the Permanent Secretary of the Commission as at then, Mr. Timothy Omang Akwaji (who is presently the Head of Service of the Government of Cross River State), caused the release of the impounded trucks and illegal timber to the suspect, through a letter dated 12th March, 2020, thereby unlawfully obstructing criminal investigations.
The said letter was addressed to the Police Area Commander using the letterhead of the Forestry Commission of Cross River State Government with reference No: HQ-FC/S.118/Vol.7/43. ”
Oyama further alleged that Undiandeye had interfered with the criminal proceedings at the Police Area Command office at Okuni Community, stressing that he did not have the mandate to interfere in government processes having served out his tenure before the reported act.
Oyama who now heads Rainforest Resources and Development Centre said the act amounted to impersonation by the former forestry commission, which matter had been duly reported to the Inspector General of Police.
“Let it be noted, that the criminal matter described above is officially reported to the Inspector General of Police in Abuja; and the suspects, including Undiandeye, are facing criminal investigation and possible prosecution by the Nigeria police.
In refusing to attend the stakeholder’s meeting, Oyama recalled that he had two weeks ago drawn the attention of the commission to illegal timber products that were being conveyed in a trailer that got stranded, yet the commission refused to impound the truck.
He said honouring the invitation to attend the meeting would grossly compromise and undermine his stand.
Reacting, Undiandeye denied all the allegations by Oyama and explained that the three trucks, for instance, passed through all formal processes before they were released.
