The police in Ekiti State have arraigned three herdsmen before an Ado Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court over alleged unlawful destruction and malicious damage of a rice farm at a settlement in Okemesi Ekiti in the Ekiti West Council area of the state.

The defendants are Nafiu Mohammed (20), Mohammed Audu (20) and Bumba Karba (17).

The police prosecutor, Inspector Johnson Okunade, said that the incident occurred on January 7, 2020, at Apinrin Alapaye Farm Settlement in Okemesi Ekiti, Ekiti West Local Government Area.

He alleged, “The three defendants and others at large grazed their cattle on the farm located at Okemesi Ekiti causing massive destruction to the land.

“The offences contravened section 451 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012,” Okunade said.

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

He, however, 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.

Their counsel, Mr Busuyi Ayorinde, urged the court to grant the defendants bail, promising that they would not jump bail.

In their ruling, the Chief Magistrate, Mr Adesoji Adegboye, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties each in like sum.

The chief magistrate adjourned the case till February 24 for hearing.

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