Ondo Court Sentences Herdsman to 10 Years for Violating Anti-Grazing Law and Destroying N50 Million Worth of Crops
A Magistrates’ Court in Akure, Ondo State, has sentenced a herdsman, Dan-Bello, to 10 years imprisonment for violating the state's anti-open grazing law and for destroying farm crops valued at N50 million.
The court found Dan-Bello guilty of unlawfully grazing his cattle on farmlands without the requisite permit, leading to the destruction of crops belonging to local farmers. The incident occurred in the Oke Agbe area of Akoko North West Local Government Area, where the herder's cattle reportedly trampled over and consumed crops, causing significant financial losses to the farmers.
Magistrate Damilola Sekoni, presiding over the case, emphasized the importance of enforcing the anti-grazing law to protect the livelihoods of farmers and maintain peace within the community. The law, signed into effect by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu in 2021, prohibits open grazing and mandates that livestock owners obtain permits for grazing activities.
The sentence has been met with mixed reactions. Supporters view it as a necessary step to uphold the rule of law and deter future violations, while critics argue that the law disproportionately affects herders and may not address the root causes of farmer-herder conflicts.
This case underscores the ongoing challenges in balancing agricultural development, livestock management, and community relations in Ondo State and other regions grappling with similar issues.
