By Oluseye Ojo
The Oyo State Government has ordered herders to vacate all farm settlements in the state with a view to preventing destruction of crops planted by farmers.
The Chairperson, Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority (OYRLEA), Justice Aderonke Aderemi (retd), made this known in a press statement she signed and made available to journalists yesterday.
OYRLEA was established by Governor Seyi Makinde in April 2024 and was inaugurated in August 2024. It is saddled with the responsibility to oversee and enforce laws, particularly as it relates to Environmental Protection Laws, Road Traffic Management Regulation Laws, and Open Rearing and Grazing Laws in the state.
According to her, farm settlements are not set up for grazing of livestocks including cows, sheep, and goats, but mainly for growing of crops.
Aderemi said: “I am therefore using this medium to inform all herders to vacate all farm settlements in Oyo State. Farm settlements are mainly for farming purposes and it is illegal to graze cows, sheep, goats and even chickens on any farm settlement in Oyo State.”
She affirmed that the rule of law must be upheld by all residents and dwellers of the state, irrespective of tribe and affiliations.
“The rule of law is no respecter of anyone, tribe or affiliations. It has come to stay and must be upheld by all. Whoever is found culpable of the related regulations and laws should be ready to face the full weight of the law,” she said.
The OYRLEA, she stressed would leave no stone unturned to have an orderly, safe and clean state, as desired by Governor Makinde, which is for the benefit of all.
Aderemi continued: “We are the new sheriff in town, and we are to guard against violators of Anti-Open Grazing and Open Rearing Law, Environmental and Sanitation Law, and the Traffic Regulations as well as all other related laws.”
She stated further that the state government has the prerogative to appoint whosoever she wishes as board members in any of her laws. She added that no individual or association has any right or entitlement, regarding the constitution of the board.
“For every arrest and apprehension, the Mobile Courts and Tribunals are strategically positioned to prosecute offenders,” Aderemi declared.
She, however, made it known that legal counsel are always available to defend violators and could apply for bail of the offenders as the case may be, otherwise, a jail term or option of fines await such offenders or law breakers.