Open Grazing: Kanu Gives 14 Days Ultimatum to South-East Governors

The Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has issued a 14 days ultimatum to South-East Governors to ban open grazing in the region.

He made this known through his social media handle asking the Governors to emulate the bold step taken by Yoruba counterpart.

Kanu warned that if after 14 days, the Governors do not ban open grazing, the Eastern Security Network will breach in to commence the enforcement of this 1969 Anti-Grazing Law across the entire region.

Read his full speech below;

“We wish to humbly and most submissively call upon all the governors of the East, to as a matter of urgency, ban all manner of open grazing in the region in compliance with the 1969 statutory law of #Nigeria that banned such provocative and primitive practice by Fulani herdsmen.

The bold step taken by Yoruba governors in banning open grazing in their region is commendable and as such MUST be reciprocated and consolidated by a similar pronouncement in the East.

If after 14 days there is no firm and decisive action by Eastern governors to ban open grazing in our land, #ESN will step into the breach to commence the enforcement of this 1969 Anti-Grazing Law across the entire region. Don’t say you were not informed or given prior warning.”

Meanwhile the 1969 Anti-Grazing judgement by Hon. Justice Adewale Thompson with Suit no AB/26/66 reads;

Hon.Justice Adewale Thompson: 17th April 1969.

Suit no AB/26/66 at Abeokuta Division of the High Court.

“I do not accept the contention of Defendants that a custom exists which imposes an obligation on the owner of the farm to fence his farm whilst the owner of cattle allows his cattle to wander like pests and cause damage. Such a custom if it exists, is unreasonable and I hold that it is repugnant to natural justice, equity and a good conscience and therefore unenforceable…in that it is highly unreasonable to impose the burden of fencing a farm on the farmer without the corresponding obligation on the cattle owner to fence in his cattle.” Sequence to that I banned open grazing for it is inimical to peace and tranquillity and the cattle owners must fence or ranch their animals for peace to reign in these communities.”

According to reports, this ruling was never contested and still stands till date.