Two herders arraigned over N6m palm plantation damage in Ondo

By Boye Oyeyemi –

Two herders, Hassan Umaru and Jubril Yau, were on Thursday arraigned before an Akure Chief Magistrate’s Court over alleged unlawful grazing and the destruction of a palm plantation valued at N6 million.

The defendants were brought before the court by operatives of the Amotekun Corps on a three-count charge bordering on open grazing and malicious damage.

Prosecuting counsel, D.S. Msonter-Shagba, told the court that the accused allegedly grazed their livestock on a palm plantation at about 3:00 p.m. on January 22, 2026, at Sanusi Camp along Ute Road, Owo.

He further alleged that the action led to the destruction of planted palms worth N6,000,000 belonging to Tropic Palm Limited.

According to the prosecutor, the offences contravene Sections 32(1) and 32(3) of the Ondo State Livestock Rearing and Grazing Regulation and Ranching Establishment Law, 2021, as well as Section 451 of the Criminal Code Law of Ondo State, 2006.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Counsel to the defendants, G.O. Omo-Edu, urged the court to grant his clients bail, assuring that responsible sureties would be presented.

Chief Magistrate Damilola Sekoni admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N3 million each with two sureties in like sum, directing that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, depose to affidavits of means, provide passport photographs, and be serving or former executives of Miyetti Allah, Ondo State chapter.

The case was adjourned till April 1, 2026, for hearing.