Three herdsmen docked for unlawful destruction of rice farm in Ekiti

Three herdsmen has been charged before an Ado Ekiti Chief Magistrate’s Court for unlawful destruction and malicious damage of a rice farm.

The accused persons: Nafiu Mohammed (20), Mohammed Audu (20) and Bumba Karba (17) and others at large grazed their cattle on the farm located at Okemesi Ekiti causing massive destruction to produce on the land.

According to the police prosecutor, Inspector Johnson Okunade, the incident occurred on January 7, 2020, at Apinrin Alapaye Farm Settlement in Okemesi Ekiti, Ekiti West Local Government Area.

The prosecutor said total damage caused by the accused persons to the farm belonging to the complainant, Mr. Olusola Sanni was N4.5 million

He noted that the offences contravened section 451 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.

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

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them.

Their counsel, Mr. Busuyi Ayorinde, urged the court to grant the defendants bail, promising it that they would not jump bail.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr. Adesoji Adegboye, in his ruling granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties each in like sum.

He adjourned the case until February 24 for hearing.