Herdsmen risk 3years in jail, forfeiture of cattle as Osun Assembly passes anti-grazing bill into law

ByBankole Joseph

Aug 15, 2021

Read Time:2 Minute, 1 Second

The House of Assembly also passed into law Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Bill 2021.

The Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly RT. Hon. Timothy Owoeye at plenary noted that the bill passed into law will prevent the destruction of farms, crops by open rearing and grazing of livestock.

Owoeye added that the bill will also prevent killings, sexual molestation, protect the environment from degradation and pollution caused by open rearing and grazing of livestock.

He held that as from the commencement of the bill, no person or group of persons shall rear, herd, or graze any livestock in any part of the State except within permitted ranches.

He said any herdsman or group of herdsman who graze herd or rear cattle or livestock outside permitted ranches after the commencement of this bill shall be guilty of an offence.

According to him, “Any person or group who contravenes the provisions of subsections (1) and (2) of this section shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to a terms of imprisonment of not less than 3 years without the option of fine as well as forfeiture of the herds of Cattle or livestock under his or her control to the State Government.