The Oyo State House of Assembly, on Thursday, passed into law a bill banning open rearing, herding and grazing of livestock outside permitted ranches in Oyo state.
Recall that insideoyo.com earlier reported that the Fulani herdsmen in the state threatened lawsuit against the bill before it was finally passed into law yesterday.
After being passed, the Oyo state governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde is expected to sign the law as passed by the lawmakers.
Below are 9 notable things you need to know about the new law in the state.
1. Anyone who engages in open rearing or grazing of livestock is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to imprisonment for five years or a fine of N500,000 or both. Subsequent offenders shall upon conviction be liable to 10 years imprisonment or a fine of N2 million or both.
2. Any herdsman who causes injury to any person is liable upon conviction to imprisonment for five years or a fine of N500,000 or both, and pay the medical bill of the injured person.
3. The law prohibits the movement of livestock on foot from one destination to another in the state, with all herdsmen mandated to submit themselves for registration and get an identification card, which must be worn at all times.
4. Cattle movement is only permissible by rail wagon, truck or pick-up wagon, between 7 am and 6 pm, while any person found moving livestock on foot is liable on conviction to imprisonment for five years or a fine of N500,000 or both.
5. The law bans a minor from grazing, herding or grazing of livestock except under the supervision of an adult, while the minor or owner of cattle is liable on conviction to a fine of N300,000 or three years imprisonment or both.
6. Cattle owners are restricted to grazing livestock in approved ranches where persons wishing to set up ranches are to obtain a permit from the state government for a period of three years, with renewal subject to the approval of the landowner. However, the governor is empowered to revoke the permit, without compensation, to the herdsman for any breach of security.
7. Herdsmen are to submit themselves to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for registration and after paying a specified fee to be issued an identification card to be worn at all times.
8. The law stipulates a N200,000 fine and two years imprisonment for herdsmen found guilty of nonregistration, while anyone without identification card is liable on conviction to imprisonment for one year or a fine of N100,000 or both.
9. The law states that whenever any livestock strays into any person’s land other than a ranch and causes destruction of crops, the herdsman is liable to pay compensation to the owner with valuation to be determined by the state Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
