An 18-year-old, Haruna Abdullahi, was on Monday arraigned before an Ado-Ekiti chief magistrates’ court over alleged unlawful grazing and malicious damage.

Mr Abdullahi, whose address was not given, is facing a three-count charge bordering on unlawful grazing and malicious damage.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him.

The prosecutor, Akinwale Oriyomi, told the court that the defendant and others at large committed the offence on April 24 in Ado-Ekiti.

He alleged that the defendant and others at large unlawfully grazed his cattle in an unauthorised place.

Mr Oriyomi alleged that the defendant and others at large maliciously damaged farm produce valued at about N5 million, property of Musa Hammed.

He also alleged that the defendant and others at large maliciously damaged farm produce valued at N3 million, property of Raimi Femi.

According to him, the offences contravened Section 7 of the Prohibition of Cattle and Other Ruminant Grazing Law of Ekiti State, 2021, and 354(1) of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.

The prosecutor asked the court for an adjournment to enable him to study the case file and present his witnesses.

The defendant’s counsel, Olumide Olowolafe, urged the court to grant the defendant bail, with a promise that he would not jump bail.

The chief magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Mr Adeosun said that the sureties must produce two years’ tax clearance.

He adjourned the case until June 5 for hearing. 

(NAN)