The Taraba State government on Thursday refuted reports that it suspended the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law.
The state Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General, Yusufu Akirikwen, who spoke at Face the Press, an interactive forum with journalists, said any law, once enacted, cannot be suspended.
He said: “The word suspension of law does not exist. A law or act of parliament can only be amended or repealed.”
He said following the intervention of Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi-led committee, it was agreed that Sections 23, 24 and 25 of the law should be revisited because of complaints by members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association.
“Because of incessant bloody clashes between herdsmen and farmers, the state government decided to put in place the anti-open grazing law to restrict the movement of herdsmen and cattle.
“We decided that the animals be restricted in ranches to avoid trespasses, clashes and disputes.
“And our anti-open grazing law passed through all the due procedures and stages of enactment. It was put to public hearing in the three geo-political zones of the state.
“The Governor, Darius Ishaku, gave a transition period of six months before the law was finally enforced on January 24,” the commisioner added.
