Breaking News: Fulani herdsman jailed 2 years for grazing

An Ado-Ekiti Magistrates' court has sentenced a Fulani herdsman,  Ali Haruna to two years in prison for grazing and destroying crops in a farmland.

According to reports, the 18 year-old Haruna was caught at midnight while his cow was grazing in a farmland.

His cow allegedly destroyed cassava, maize, okro and pepper valued at N3m, according to The Guardian.

The Magistrate, Idowu Ayenimo, said the herdsman was arraigned on a two-count charge of wilful and unlawful damage of farm crops on January 22, 2016.

Ayenimo who ordered that the sentence should run concurrently, added that the accused got a light sentence because he committed the offence before the grazing law was signed.

The Magistrate also said the police prosecutor, Mr Olasunkanmi Bankole, proved his case beyond reasonable doubt.

Chris Omokhafe, counsel to the accused, however pleaded with the court saying his client was a first offender.

The Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose signed the Open Grazing Prohibition Bill into law on August 29, 2016.

The National Co-ordinator of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams, also praised Fayose for signing the bill.