Police arraign herder for alleged open grazing in Benue

The Police in Benue arraigned a herder,Saleh Abu, on Friday for allegedly grazingcows openly and causing damage to crops.

Abu, who lives in Awe Azara, Nasarawa State,appeared before a Makurdi Chief Magistrates’ Court on a three-count charge.

He, however,pleaded not guilty to the charges of conspiracy, open grazing, and damage to crops.

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

He said that, on July 17, the defendant and others at large entered with their cows and sheep into Hiligh's Guinea corn, maize, and melon farm at Railway Mbamar Village in Guma Local Government Area of Benue.

The prosecutor added that the defendant and the others grazed their cows and sheep on the farm, and the animals ate crops worth N700,000.

He said that the offences contravened Section 97 of the Penal Code, Law of Benue, 2004, and Section 19(1)(2)(3)a of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches (Establishment) Law of Benue, 2017.

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

Iyorshie adjourned the case until Aug. 21 for mention.