By Ayodele Popoola

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A 52-year-old timber trader, Evelyn John, was on Thursday brought before an Akure Magistrates’ Court, for allegedly falling and destroying economic trees in the Akure Government Reserve.

The defendant, whose address was not given, was arraigned by the Ondo State Government on three counts charge of malicious damage, unlawful entry, and unlawful cutting of trees.

Prosecuting for the Chief Consevator of Foresty, Akinlusi Awolowo, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on July 16, 2024, around 3 pm at the Akure Forest Reserve in the Akure Magisterial district.

Awolowo alleged that the defendant entered the government reserve without a valid licence and unlawfully fell three economic trees of different values.

The defendant was also alleged to have evacuated 11 logs without lawful authority, by writing and also destroying several economic trees.

The offences, according to the prosecution, contravened Sections 44(4), 45 of the Ondo State Forest Law (amended), 2021

But the defendant pleaded not guilty to the offences, while his counsel, A. I. Aluko, prayed the court to grant his client bail in the most liberal terms.

The Magistrate, Mrs. O. Omotosho granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200,000 with one surety in like sum.

The case was adjourned till August 12, for hearing.