The chairperson of the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority (OYRLEA), Justice Aderonke Adekemi Aderemi (Rtd.), has declared that there might be no sacred cow within the enforcement of the Oyo State Anti-Open Rearing and Grazing Regulation Law, warning that violators danger a high-quality of ₦500,000 or 5 years imprisonment for first offence.
Aderemi, who gave the warning throughout a dwell Radio interview in Ibadan, mentioned OYRLEA was established in April 2024 by governor Seyi Makinde to place an finish to lawlessness and guarantee complete compliance with extant legal guidelines on surroundings, site visitors, agriculture and public order.
She revealed that the Authority had commenced intensive enforcement operations, together with daybreak operations that led to the impounding of cattle at Atowoda in Ido LGA, Batake Village alongside Ibadan-Eruwa Road, Idi-Iroko, Moniya, and authorities farm settlements in Ido, Ijaye and Akinyele.
“Open grazing is unlawful in Oyo State. The regulation may be very clear. Our farm settlements are for farmers, not for herders.
“If you want to rear cattle, go to the Ministry of Agriculture, get a licence and get a ranch allocated to you. You cannot destroy people’s crops and livelihoods and go scot-free,” she mentioned.
The retired jurist cited Section 16(1) of the Oyo State Open Rearing and Grazing Regulation Law, 2019, which prescribes 5 years imprisonment or ₦500,000 high-quality for first offenders, and 10 years or ₦2 million for subsequent offenders, along with compensation to victims based mostly on Ministry of Agriculture evaluation.
On the allegation of bias and extortion throughout enforcement, the chairperson dismissed it as false and deceptive.
(*5*) she acknowledged.
Aderemi disclosed that OYRLEA had additionally sustained large sensitization by way of radio and tv jingles, stakeholder roundtables with farmers, herders, conventional rulers and livestock sellers, and the institution of joint battle decision committees to forestall escalation.
She, subsequently, urged residents to report violations promptly, stressing that public cooperation is essential to attaining a cleaner, safer and food-secure Oyo State.
“We are not targeting any tribe or occupation. We are protecting the rule of law. Whether you are rearing cows in a residential area, dumping refuse or trading on the road, the law will catch up with you,” she warned.
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