Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has sacked his aide, Adeboye Ewenla, the Special Assistant on Forestry for the Central Senatorial District.
This was followed allegations that he asked timber merchants in the state to pay N30 million as bribe.
The aide was only appointed barely a month ago.
Mr Ewenla was reportedly caught on tape demanding the money before the merchants would be allowed to operate.
The Nation reports that sources in the state government said the telephone conversation was sent to Aiyedatiwa after the merchants opted for a showdown.
The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, said in a statement on Wednesday that Aiyedatiwa also ordered a probe into the activities of those saddled with the responsibility of managing forest reserves in the state.
“A replacement for Mr. Ewenla will be announced in due course,” the statement said.
“The Governor urged all political appointees to conduct themselves in line with the provisions of the law and rules guiding their duties.”
Ewenla was among 316 special assistants appointed on the 6th of September to support the governor’s vision in running the state.