A herdsman, Usman Abubakar, was arraigned before the Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan on Monday for destroying crops.

The police charged Mr Abubakar, 20, with conspiracy, assault occasioning harm and malicious damage.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecution counsel, Samuel Owolabi, said the defendant committed the offence on September 25 at about 11:00 a.m. in Ido, Oyo state.

Mr Owolabi alleged that the defendant and others at large maliciously damaged maize and pepper crops worth N300,000, belonging to Boniface Onyekwelu.

He said the defendant conducted himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace by allowing his cattle to graze on Mr Onyekwelu’s farm.

The police also said the defendant assaulted a resident, Korede Asu, causing him to lose his upper teeth.

He said the offence contravened Sections 516, 355 and 451 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo state, 2000.

The magistrate, Gladys Olanrewaju, admitted the defendant to bail of N1 million with two sureties in like sum.

Ms Olanrewaju, among other terms, held that two of the sureties must be landed property owners.

She adjourned the case until November 16 for hearing.

(NAN)