A Makurdi Chief Magistrate, Mr Isaac Ajim, has convicted and sentenced a 20-year-old herder, Jaro Alhaji Ilu to one year in prison for violating the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of Benue State.
However, the Chief Magistrate after listening to the plea for leniency from the herder who hails from Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa State reduced the sentence to a fine of N500,000 upon which failure to pay will attract one year imprisonment.
The Chief Magistrate stated that the prosecution has proven its case beyond reasonable doubt to warrant conviction and the plea by the herder has further convinced the court of his guilt of the charge of open grazing.