Herdsman Faces Decade in Jail for Anti-Grazing Law Violation, N50 Million Crop Destruction

Akure, Ondo State – A Magistrates’ Court in Akure has delivered a significant judgment, sentencing a herdsman, identified as Dan-Bello, to 10 years imprisonment for contravening the Ondo State anti-open grazing law and causing extensive damage to farmland. The court found Dan-Bello guilty of destroying approximately N50 million worth of farm crops.

The prosecution detailed a five-count charge against the defendant, including conspiracy, unlawful grazing, malicious damage, breach of peace, and illegal entry. The charges stemmed from an incident on October 27, 2023, where Dan-Bello allegedly grazed his cattle on a farmland belonging to the National Palm Produce Association of Nigeria (NPPAN), situated along the Ago Panu–Ute Road in the Owo Local Government Area. This grazing, the prosecution argued, occurred without a permit and on land not designated for such activity by the state government, directly violating the Ondo State Livestock Rearing and Grazing Regulation Law of 2021. The destroyed crops included young palm trees and watermelons spread across two hectares.

Testimony also revealed that after initially being confronted, the herdsman returned the following day with six others and allegedly set fire to the farm, resulting in further destruction, including a motorcycle used by farmworkers.

In her ruling on Wednesday, Magistrate Damilola Sekoni stated that the prosecution had presented credible and sufficient evidence to support the charges. Consequently, Dan-Bello received a four-year jail term for the first count without the option of a fine, two years for the second count with an option of a N50,000 fine, and one year each for the third and fourth counts. He was also sentenced to an additional two years imprisonment without the option of a fine for the fifth count. The magistrate ordered that these sentences would run concurrently, effectively resulting in a 10-year prison term.

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However, Magistrate Sekoni offered a conditional discharge, stating that Dan-Bello would be released if he pays N2 million in compensation to the complainant.

This landmark judgment marks a notable instance of the enforcement of the Ondo State anti-open grazing law, which was enacted in August 2021. The law aims to prevent conflicts between farmers and herders by regulating livestock grazing within the state and promoting ranching as a more sustainable alternative. It prohibits the open grazing of livestock and mandates that such activities be confined to designated areas or ranches.

The Ondo State government has previously emphasized that the law is not targeted at any specific group but seeks to foster a more harmonious relationship among all residents and prevent the destruction of farmlands, which has often led to clashes and economic losses for farmers. This conviction underscores the state’s commitment to enforcing this legislation and ensuring that those who violate it face legal consequences.