The Akure Chief Magistrates’ Court, Ondo, has sentenced a herdsman, Dan Bello, to 10 years’ imprisonment for violating the state’s anti-open grazing law.

Mr Bello, who was found guilty of destroying farm crops valued at N50 million, was arraigned on a five-count charge before the magistrates’ court.

The charge bordered on conspiracy, unlawful grazing, malicious damage, breach of peace, and illegal entry. The convict was found guilty of all charges.

According to the prosecution, Mr Bello, on October 27, 2023, grazed his cattle on farmland belonging to the National Palm Produce Association of Nigeria (NPPAN) along Ago Panu–Ute Road in Owo Local Government Area.

His cattle destroyed young palm trees and watermelons cultivated across two hectares.

The prosecuting counsel, P.O. Nwafor, informed the magistrate that the grazing occurred without a permit and on land not designated for such use by the state government.

Ms Nwafor said the act was a clear violation of the Ondo State Livestock Rearing and Grazing Regulation Law, 2021.

She also told the court that the action of the herdsman was challenged, but he returned with other herders and set the farmland on fire.

According to her, a motorcycle being used by workers on the farms was also destroyed in the process.

Ruling on the case, the presiding magistrate, Damilola Sekoni, held that the evidence presented by the prosecution was credible and sufficient.

Mr Sekoni sentenced Mr Bello to four years imprisonment on the first count without an option of a fine, two years on the second count with an option of a N50,000 fine, and one year each on the third and fourth counts.

He jailed the herdsman for two years without an option of a fine for the fifth count.

The magistrate ordered that the sentences should run concurrently.