Herders Risk N500k Fine, 5 Year Jail Term In Oyo

The chairperson of the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority (OYRLEA), Justice Aderonke Adekemi Aderemi (Rtd.), has declared that there can be no sacred cow within the enforcement of the Oyo State Anti-Open Rearing and Grazing Regulation Law, warning that violators danger a tremendous of ₦500,000 or 5 years imprisonment for first offence.

Aderemi, who gave the warning throughout a reside Radio interview in  Ibadan, mentioned  OYRLEA was established in April 2024 by governor Seyi Makinde to place an finish to lawlessness and guarantee whole compliance with extant legal guidelines on surroundings, visitors, agriculture and public order.

She revealed that the Authority had commenced intensive enforcement operations, together with daybreak operations that led to the impounding of cattle at Atowoda in Ido LGA, Batake Village alongside Ibadan-Eruwa Road, Idi-Iroko, Moniya, and authorities farm settlements in Ido, Ijaye and Akinyele.

“Open grazing is prohibited in Oyo State. The regulation could be very clear. Our farm settlements are for farmers, not for herders.

“If you want to rear cattle, go to the Ministry of Agriculture, get a licence and get a ranch allocated to you. You cannot destroy people’s crops and livelihoods and go scot-free,” she mentioned.

The retired jurist cited Section 16(1) of the Oyo State Open Rearing and Grazing Regulation Law, 2019, which prescribes 5 years imprisonment or ₦500,000 tremendous for first offenders, and 10 years or ₦2 million for subsequent offenders, along with compensation to victims based mostly on Ministry of Agriculture evaluation.

On the allegation of bias and extortion throughout enforcement, the chairperson dismissed it as false and deceptive.

“Our operations are based on petitions from farmers and verifiable evidence of crop destruction. Due process is always followed. Anyone who feels aggrieved should report to us, not blackmail the Authority on air,” she acknowledged.

Aderemi disclosed that OYRLEA had additionally sustained huge sensitization by radio and tv jingles, stakeholder roundtables with farmers, herders, conventional rulers and livestock sellers, and the institution of joint battle decision committees to stop escalation.

She, due to this fact, urged residents to report violations promptly, stressing that public cooperation is essential to reaching a cleaner, safer and food-secure Oyo State.

(*5*) she warned.