Two herders, Shehu Umaru, 40, and Muhammadu Riskua, 30, were arraigned before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates' Court on charges of unlawful grazing. The defendants, of unknown addresses, allegedly committed the offence on August 11 at about 2:00 p.m. in Itapaji-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
Prosecution Alleges Unauthorized Grazing
The prosecutor, ASP Akinwale Oriyomi, told the court on August 17 that the defendants unlawfully grazed their cattle in an unauthorised farmland at Itapaji-Ekiti forest. Oriyomi stated that the offence contravened Section 2 and is punishable under Section 7 of the Prohibition of Cattle and Other Ruminant Grazing in Ekiti State Law, 2016.
Oriyomi urged the court to adjourn the case to allow him time to study the case file and assemble witnesses for the prosecution.
Defendants Plead Not Guilty, Seek Bail
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge. Their counsel, Mr Gboyega Abiola, applied for bail, promising that they would not jump bail if granted.
Court Grants Bail, Adjourns Case
In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Mr Abayomi Adeosun granted bail to each defendant in the sum of N50,000, with one surety each in like sum. The case was adjourned till September 14 for hearing.
