DPP Takes Over Case of Farmer and Cattle Owner in Akwa Ibom

The Akwa Ibom State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is now in charge of the case against a herder. The herder is accused of letting his cattle ruin the farmland of Ibanga Isine, an investigative journalist and farmer.

This change happened after Chief Magistrate Maureen Udoka ordered the police to give the case file to the DPP on Tuesday.

The case, known as Commissioner of Police v. Abdullahi Yusuf, started because cows kept invading Mr. Isine's farms in Uyo, causing damage. Many people are watching this case closely. It is seen as a test of Akwa Ibom State’s anti-open grazing law. This law, signed by former Governor Udom Emmanuel in September 2021, bans open grazing of livestock and promotes ranching.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the previous magistrate, Godwin Edemekong, stepped down from the case. There was controversy over how he handled things, including removing journalists and Mr. Isine from the courtroom.

Mr. Isine later petitioned Akwa Ibom's Chief Judge, Ekaette Obot, to reassign the case. He also reached out to the DPP and the Nigerian Bar Association, asking for the DPP to take over the prosecution.

When the case was called on Tuesday at Chief Magistrate Court 1, DPP lawyer Cecile Umana asked the police prosecutor, Blessing Essien, to transfer the case file to the DPP's office. Ms. Umana said the request was based on the attorney-general's power to take over criminal cases started by others.

Section 211(1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution gives a state attorney-general the right to take over criminal cases from other authorities. This section also allows the attorney-general to work through department officers.

The herder, Mr. Yusuf, was in court and had his lawyer, Isaiah Ibok, with him. The defence lawyer did not oppose the request.

Ms. Udoka then ordered the police to release the case file to the DPP for prosecution. She postponed the case until 16 September for hearing to begin.

After the court proceedings, Mr. Isine spoke to journalists. He was pleased with the case being reassigned and the DPP taking charge.

"I am very happy that the case has been assigned to the Chief Magistrate. I am confident that the issue will be given the attention it deserves," he said.

Mr. Isine added that this case is bigger than his personal issue with the cattle owner. "Pursuing this case is not about me but Akwa Ibom State," he stated.

He explained that the situation affects food production and farmers' ability to invest in agriculture without worrying about their crops being destroyed.

"It is about food security, stability and affordability," he said.

"If we have to farm, feed ourselves and sell, we will have to protect our farms. People should not own cows and use our crops to feed their cows."

Mr. Isine noted that both cattle rearing and crop farming are valid businesses. But they should be done in a way that respects both sides.

"Cattle rearing is a business and farming is also a business. They should coexist equally and the best way to coexist is through ranching," he said.