A magistrates’ court in Makurdi, Benue state, on Friday handed a
one-year jail sentence to three herders – Iliya Garba, Hassan
Abdullahi, and Lanshak Lonfalk – for violating the law enacted in
2017.
The convicts were 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.
Michael Iorundu, the prosecutor, told the court that the joint
patrol team of “Operation Zenda”, led by Edward Shinyi, arrested
the herders on February 18.
He said 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,” he said.
“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.”
Lillian Tsumba, the magistrate, said the herders were first
offenders who were also illiterates and not even aware that open
grazing has been prohibited in Benue.
Tsumba said a law such as open grazing prohibition required
massive exposure and education of persons at the grassroots.
She, however, said “the 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.
A magistrates’ court in Makurdi, Benue state, on Friday handed a
one-year jail sentence to three herders – Iliya Garba, Hassan
Abdullahi, and Lanshak Lonfalk – for violating the law enacted in
2017.
The convicts were 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.
Michael Iorundu, the prosecutor, told the court that the joint
patrol team of “Operation Zenda”, led by Edward Shinyi, arrested
the herders on February 18.
He said 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,” he said.
“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.”
Lillian Tsumba, the magistrate, said the herders were first
offenders who were also illiterates and not even aware that open
grazing has been prohibited in Benue.
Tsumba said a law such as open grazing prohibition required
massive exposure and education of persons at the grassroots.
She, however, said “the 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.
Read more https://www.nairalaw.com/benue-court-jails-three-herdsmen/