Violators of anti-open grazing, street trading, others risk jail terms — Oyo govt

The Oyo State government has threatened to prosecute violators of any of its laws, including anti-open grazing, street trading, and any other regulations.

The Chairperson of the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority, Rtd Justice Aderonke Aderemi, made this known at a 2-day training on the legal framework and the psychology of law enforcement with the theme “Strategies for Effective Compliance” in Ibadan on Tuesday.

She stated that the free-range system of rearing animals, including chickens and cows, has become a criminal offence punishable under the law of the state.

Aderemi added that anybody found culpable of any offences risked various jail terms with the option of fines as applicable.

She mentioned that OYRLEA has embarked on sensitisation programmes on the need for strict compliance with the various laws of the state.

The retired Justice added that part of the programme is the 2-day event organised for over 100 enforcers of laws drawn from different Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of the government.

The programme, according to her, is organised by OYRLEA in conjunction with BUC Digital Solutions.

Aderemi disclosed that nine cows and their owners were recently arrested for grazing openly in front of the Oyo State Government Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.

The owner was also apprehended and tried by the Tribunal and was subsequently fined N1.7 million or sentenced to five years in jail.

According to her, “Sometimes, you may not have that privilege of the Magistrate telling you to go and pay this money or go to jail; it may be a stiff one. You might just be sentenced to jail, so that the next person will know that it is better for them not to commit this offence again.

“Those rearing cows and destroying farm plantations, like cassava, soybean, beans, and every other thing. The first thing is that the amount that the magistrate will pronounce may be N500,000, N2 million or more. Then, whatever they have destroyed would be valued, and the owner of the cows or goats will have to pay. If it is up to N10 million, he has no option; he has to pay. Payment depends on the value of farm products destroyed by the cows or goats.”

Aderemi also read the riot act to people engaging in street trading, urging them to desist from such acts to avoid facing the full wrath of the law. She explained that for the past three months or thereabouts, the OYRLEA has embarked on awareness and sensitisation campaigns to different parts of the state capital to pre-inform the people about the law on street trading. She added that enforcement would start in full scale soon.

The OYRLEA boss also warned people dumping gravel, sand, blocks, iron rods, and so on on the road for construction work that such practice is against the law. She said owners of such property would be arrested and prosecuted as well.

“You are building your house and you decide to put your gravel or sand or blocks on the road, if we arrest you, you have to pay a fine,” Aderemi stated.

The agency, she said, has set up a task force, tribunal, and a mobile court, with a view to preventing delays in dealing with offenders.

Aderemi continued: “It is time for us to wake up. It is time to keep our environment clean. So, everybody should wake up. Cameras will be installed for monitoring soon. It is time for us to do the right thing. Obey the law. The law is no respecter of anyone.”

On the training for law enforcement officers, Aderemi stated, “We set up the training workshop so that those enforcing the law can go out. It is important for them to be trained for them to know exactly what they are doing.

“Sometimes, you talk about laws, and you want to arrest a person. It is not just for you to arrest all the time. You need to let the people know why you are arresting them. You need to let them know that it is important for them to always obey the law. It is when they know these facts that they will be able to stop all the wrongdoings.”

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