A 20-year-old herdsman, Usman Abubakar, was on Monday arraigned before the Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, over alleged destruction of crops and assault.
Abubakar was charged with conspiracy, assault occasioning harm and malicious damage, offences he pleaded not guilty to.
Police prosecutor, Samuel Owolabi, told the court that the defendant committed the alleged offences on September 25 at about 11 a.m. in Ido, Oyo State.
According to the prosecution, Abubakar and others still at large allegedly damaged maize and pepper crops valued at N300,000 belonging to Boniface Onyekwelu.
Owolabi further alleged that the defendant allowed his cattle to graze on Onyekwelu’s farmland, conduct which he said was capable of causing a breach of peace.
The prosecutor also accused Abubakar of assaulting a resident, Korede Asu, resulting in the loss of his upper teeth.
Owolabi said the alleged offences contravened Sections 516, 355 and 451 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
Following the defendant’s plea, Magistrate Gladys Olanrewaju granted him bail in the sum of N1 million, with two sureties in like sum.
The magistrate ordered that two of the sureties must be owners of landed property, among other bail conditions.
She subsequently adjourned the case until November 16 for hearing.
