Ondo herdsman ordered to pay N20m compensation or spend 10 years in jail
A herdsman in Ondo State identified as Dan Bello has bee sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by an Akure Magistrates Court.
Bello, was however, ordered to pay N20m compensation to the complainant to regain freedom.
He was arrested for violating Ondo state’s anti-open grazing law and destrnction of farm crops valued at N50 million.
The farmland belonged to the National Palm Produce Association of Nigeria (NPPAN), located along Ago Panu–Ute Road in Owo Local Government Area.
Bello who was arraigned on a five-count charge of conspiracy, unlawful grazing, malicious damage, breach of peace and illegal entry.
The convict had on October 27, 2023, grazed his cattle on the farmland and destroyed young palm trees and watermelons cultivated on two hectares.
Prosecuting counsel, P.O. Nwafor, said the grazing occurred without a permit, and on land not designated for such use by the state government as well as clear violation of the Ondo State Livestock Rearing and Grazing Regulation Law, 2021.
Presiding Magistrate, Damilola Sekoni, ruled that the evidence presented by the prosecution was credible and sufficient.
Sekoni found Bello guilty on all the count charges and sentenced him accordingly.
Bellon was sentenced to various terms in imprisonment but the Magistrate said the jail term would run concurrently.
The magistrate also ruled that the convict would be discharged if he pays a compensation of N2 million to the complainant.
