Three men, Saliu Idris (60), Abubakar Yusuf (30), and Iliasu Idris (25), were arraigned before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday for alleged conspiracy and unlawful grazing on farmland crops.
The prosecutor, Insp Akinwale Oriyomi, told the court that the defendants, along with three other suspects still at large, committed the offenses on August 16 at approximately 6:00 p.m. in Ado-Ekiti.
The charges against them are related to the trespass and destruction of crops, which have become a significant concern in the region.
Oriyomi alleged that the defendants conspired with others still at large to unlawfully graze on farmland crops.
“They also grazed their cattle in an unauthorised location,” he said.
The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Section 7 of the Prohibition of Cattle and Other Ruminants Grazing Law of Ekiti State, 2016.
The prosecutor requested an adjournment to enable him study the case file and prepare his witnesses.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.
Counsel to the defendants, Mrs Adunni Olanipekun, urged the court to grant them bail, assuring that they would not abscond.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr Abayomi Adeosun, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N100,000 each with one surety each in like sum.
The case was adjourned until Sept. 26 for hearing.
