A Makurdi High Court presided over by Justice Austine Ityonyiman has issued an interim order restraining the Inspector General of Police, and the Benue State Commissioner of Police from dismantling, Prohibiting or closing down the offices of the Benue State Livestock Guards in any part of the State.

The Court also restrained the Inspector General of Police and the Benue State Commissioner of Police from preventing the officers of the Benue State Livestock Guards from carrying out their legitimate functions pending the determination of the motion on notice brought before the court.

The Judge granted the motion brought before it by the Benue State Government through Mr. Douglas Pepe, praying the court to restrain the Nigerian Police whom he stated where acting outside the scope of their constitutional mandate.

Mr. Pepe added that the Livestock Guards was a creation by law to enforce the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law 2017.

After listening to the argument of counsel to the Benue State Government, and carefully perusing through the affidavit in support of the motion, the Judge was convinced that there was need to grant the application pending the determination of the motion on notice.

The Judge thereafter adjourned the case to November 23rd, 2018 for hearing of the motion on notice.

Reacting to the restraining order, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Micheal Gusa said, the Governor Samuel Ortom administration is operating based on the rule of law, and due process.

He added that anytime the state feels its rights are been infringed upon, it will approach the court to seek redress.

•Sourced from a Channels TV report

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