Police arraigns herdsman for alleged open grazing in Benue

The Benue State police command on Friday arraigned a herdsman, Saleh Abu, for alleged open grazing at the Makurdi Chief Magistrates Court.

Abu, who is a resident of Nasarawa State, was arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy and open grazing for allegedly grazing cows openly and causing damage to crops in Benue State.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecutor, Insp. Godwin Ato, said the police received a report of the alleged crimes on July 17 from one Sesugh Hiligh.

He said: “The defendant and others at large entered with their cows and sheep into Hiligh’ guinea corn, maize, and melon farm at Railway Mbamar Village in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

READ ALSO: Police arrests five murder suspects, rescues 10 hostages in Benue

“The defendant and others grazed their cows and sheep on the farm and the animals ate crops worth N700,000.”

The offences, according to him, contravened Section 97 of the Penal Code, Law of Benue, 2004, and Section 19(1)(2)(3)a of Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches (Establishment) Law of Benue, 2017.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Roseline Iyorshie, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 and a surety in like sum.

She adjourned the case till Aug. 21 for mention.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now