20-year-old cattle rearer remanded for open grazing, murder in Makurdi

A Makurdi Chief Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, ordered the remand of  a 20-year old cattle rearer, Isah Ardoo at the Nigeria Correctional Service Centre, Makurdi for alleged open grazing and murder.

Ardoo who lives at Abinsi Town in Guma Local Government Area of Benue was charged with criminal conspiracy, mischief, open grazing and culpable homicide.

However, when the case came up for mention, the defendant did not take plea for want in jurisdiction.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Kelvin Mbanongun therefore, adjourned the matter until March 28 for further mention.

Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Insp Godwin Ato told the court that the case was reported at the ‘C’ Division Police Station, Makurdi on Dec 24, 2023 by Manasseh Dimur.

Ato said that the complainant stated that on the said day, some cattle rearers numbering about five with their cows, trespassed into his one hectare rice farm situated at Yse-Ade Village, Mbayongu District of Makurdi.

He said that the cows ate and destroyed his farm valued at N300, 000.

The prosecutor said that according to the complainant, the marauders who were armed with sophisticated weapons, shot, stabbed and killed his 25-year old younger brother, Iorapuur.

He said that the defendant was subsequently arrested and during police investigation, a dagger was recovered from him, adding that others were still at large.

Ato said that the offences contravened sections 97 and 222 of the penal code laws of Benue, 2004 and 19(2)(1) of the open grazing prohibition and ranches establishment law of Benue, 2017.