Three herdsmen are to spend the next one year in jail after a Makurdi
Magistrates’ Court on Friday found them guilty of violating the
Benue State Anti-Open Grazing Law, 2017.
Jailed are Iliya Garba, Hassan Abdullahi, and
Lanshak Lonfalk who were all charged with criminal conspiracy and open
nomadic livestock rearing and grazing.
The offences are punishable under Sections 97 of the Penal Code
and 19 (2) of the Open Grazing Prohibition Ranches Establishment Law of Benue,
2017.
Prosecutor Michael Iorundu told the court that the joint
patrol team of `Operation Zenda,’ led by Sgt. Edward Shinyi, arrested the
herders on February 18.
He said that they were brought to the State
Criminal and Investigation Department, Makurdi. “The team reported that the three
herders and others now at large, were openly grazing their cattle along
Yeluwata Road in Guma Local Government Area of Benue.
“When the case came up for mention, the herders pleaded guilty
to the charge against them, saying that they were not aware that open grazing
had been prohibited in Benue,’’ he said.
The Magistrate, Mrs Lillian Tsumba said that the herders were
first offenders who were also illiterates and not even aware that open grazing
has been prohibited in Benue.
Tsumba said that a law such as open grazing prohibition required
massive exposure and education of persons at the grassroots.
She, however, said law is law and must be obeyed in spite
ignorance.
The magistrate sentenced the herders to a year imprison each,
with N500, 000 option of fine each.
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