Anti-open Grazing Law: FG Backs Herdsmen Planned Suit Against South Governors

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Moves by herdsmen to sue southern governors over the anti-open grazing bill they recently signed into law, has gotten a support from the federal government.

Special Assistant (Media) to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Dr Umar Gwandu in an interview with Punch, said Nigerians whose rights had been violated could go to court to seek protection.

Most southern states, including Lagos, Ondo, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Abia, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Enugu, and just recently, Delta and Ogun states, signed the anti-open grazing bill into law.

It was also gathered that police commands differed on the enforcement of the law. While Ebonyi and Osun state police commands said they would enforce the law. A source in the Lagos State Police Command told the publication that the police would only provide protection to the enforcement team of the state.

Rivers State Police Commissioner, Friday Eboka, on his part said he had not seen a copy of the state anti-open grazing law.

A top police officer also noted that it would be difficult for state commands to enforce the law without the support of force headquarters.