3 Herdsmen docked for destroying rice farm in Ekiti

A Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, in Nigeria, has arraigned three herdsmen for alleged unlawful destruction and malicious damage of a rice farm worth N4.5million.

The Nation reports that the accused persons: Nafiu Mohammed (20), Mohammed Audu (20) and Bumba Karba (17), and others at large were arraigned Tuesday, January 21, by the Police on a count charge of malicious damage before Chief Magistrate, Mr. Adesoji Adegboye.

Prosecuting Inspector Johnson Okunade said the defendants committed the offence January 7, 2020, at Apinrin Alapaye Farm Settlement, in Okemesi Ekiti, Ekiti West Local Government Area of the state.

Inspector Okunade alleged the defendants with their cattle on the farm located at Okemesi Ekiti caused massive destruction to crop on the land.

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

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

The prosecutor asked the court for 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.

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

Mr. Adesoji Adegboye, the Chief Magistrate, 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, the source said.