Herders in Oyo State have sued the state government and the state House of Assembly over the recently passed anti-grazing law.
Also joined in the suit filed by the herders under the aegis of Gan Allah Fulani Development Association of Nigeria is the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in the state.
Recall that the state government had said the bill was aimed at checking incessant clashes between the farmers and the herders in the state.
However, the herders in the state are contending that the new law is a gross violation of their fundamental rights.
In a suit marked M/744/2019, the herders are therefore asking the court to declare the new law illegal, null and void.
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They are also seeking an order of perpetual injunction “restraining all the respondents, whether by themselves, their servants, agents, officers or otherwise from carrying out any acts or omission which is likely to aid the enactment of the anti-grazing bill into law as this would amount to a denial of the fundamental rights guaranteed under the constitution of Nigeria.”
They also want the court to declare the law a coordinated attempt to hinder their means of livelihood against section 33(1) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.
Furthermore, they want the court to grant them N100,000 against the respondents jointly and severally for the violation of their fundamental rights.
The Open Grazing Bill prohibits open grazing of livestock in Oyo State.
