An Ondo State Magistrates’ Court sitting in Akure has sentenced a herdsman, Dan-Bello, to 10 years in prison for violating the state’s anti-open grazing law and causing damage to farmland valued at N50 million.
Dan-Bello faced a five-count charge, including conspiracy, unlawful grazing, malicious damage, breach of peace, and illegal entry.
Prosecuting counsel P.O. Nwafor told the court that on October 27, 2023, the convict led cattle onto farmland owned by the National Palm Produce Association of Nigeria (NPPAN), situated along the Ago Panu–Ute Road in Owo Local Government Area.
According to Nwafor, the grazing was unauthorized and took place on land not designated for such purposes, violating the Ondo State Livestock Rearing and Grazing Regulation Law, 2021.
She added that the cattle “destroyed young palm trees and watermelons cultivated across two hectares.”
Nwafor further revealed that the situation escalated when one of the fleeing herders returned the next day with six others and allegedly set the farm ablaze, also destroying a motorcycle in the process.
In his ruling, Magistrate Damilola Sekoni said the prosecution had presented “credible and sufficient” evidence.
He sentenced Dan-Bello to four years without the option of a fine on the first count, two years with a N50,000 fine option on the second count, and one year each on the third and fourth counts.
For the fifth count, the herdsman received an additional two years without an option of fine.
Sekoni ruled that the sentences would run concurrently but added that Dan-Bello could be discharged upon payment of N2 million in compensation to the complainant.
He emphasized that adherence to the anti-open grazing law is critical, stating that the legislation was designed to “prevent clashes between farmers and herders in the state.”
