Herdsmen killings: Court stops police from proscribing Benue Live Stock Guards

Benue Governor Samuel Ortom

A Makurdi High Court in Benue State, on Thursday issued an interim order, restraining the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and the State Commissioner of Police from prohibiting or shutting down offices of the Benue State Livestock Guards across the state.

The Justice Autine Ityonyiman-led court also restrained Idris and the Benue State Commissioner of Police from preventing officers of the Benue State Livestock Guards from carrying out their legitimate functions of implementing the state Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, pending the determination of the motion on notice brought before the court.

Justice Ityonyiman granted the motion brought by the Benue State Government through its counsel, Douglas Pepe.

Pepe prayed the Court to restrain the Nigeria Police whom he stated where acting outside the scope of their constitutional mandate.

He contended that the Livestock Guards was a creation of the law and the body was carrying out its functions as stipulated by the legislation establishing it.

After listening to the argument of Pepe and carefully perusing through the affidavit in support of the motion, the Judge granted the application pending the determination of the motion on notice.

Justice Ityonyiman, thereafter, adjourned the case to November 23, 2018 for hearing of the motion.

Reacting to the restraining order, the Benue State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Michael Gusa said the Samuel Ortom administration was operating based on the rule of law and due process.

He expressed surprise that the police whose duty was to help the government to enforce laws were seeking to proscribe a law legitimately enacted by a state.

Barrister Gusa reaffirmed the determination of the State Government not to be discouraged in pursuing what was in the interest of people of the State.