Herder Arraigned In Akure For Open Grazing, N1.1m Farm Damage

A herder, Buba Usman, was on Thursday brought before an Akure Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly engaging in unlawful open grazing and destroying crops worth over N1.1 million.

Usman was arrested and handed over to the court by operatives of the Amotekun Corps. He is facing a two-count charge bordering on open grazing and malicious damage to farmland.

According to the prosecution counsel, O. F. Baba, the incident occurred on November 22, 2025, at Ileyo Community along Isagba Pelebe Road, Akure. Usman was said to have grazed his livestock on the farm of one Ayodele Adebowale, causing extensive damage to cassava, maize, tomatoes, and other crops valued at N1,115,000.

The charges violate Section 32(1) of the Ondo State Livestock Rearing and Grazing Regulation and Ranching Establishment Law, 2021, and Section 451 of the Ondo State Criminal Code Law, 2006.

Usman pleaded not guilty.

Chief Magistrate T. I. Ayodele-James granted him bail in the sum of N700,000, with two sureties in the same amount.

The case was adjourned to December 4 for further hearing.