Police in Benue have charged herder with open grazing

The Benue State Police Command has charged a herder, Saleh Abu, for publicly grazing cows and causing crop damage.
Abu, of Awe Azara, Nasarawa State, appeared in Makurdi Chief Magistrates’ Court on Friday on a three-count allegation.

However, he pled not guilty to the counts of conspiracy, open grazing, and agricultural damage.

Inspector Godwin Ato, the prosecutor, stated that the police received a report of the alleged crimes from Sesugh Hiligh on July 17, 2023, when the defendant and others at large drove their herd of cows and sheep into his Guinea corn, maize and melon farm at Railway Mbamar Village in Guma Local Government Area of Benue.

The animals ate crops worth N700,000, according to the prosecutor.

He claimed the charges violated Section 97 of the Benue Penal Code Law of 2004, as well as Sections 19(1)(2)(3) of the Benue Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches (Establishment) Law of 2017.

Mrs Roseline Iyorshie, the chief magistrate, granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N500,000 and a surety in the same amount before adjourning the matter to Aug. 21 for mention.