The ban on open grazing by Southern state governors has been described as illegal by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami.
Seventeen state helmsmen from the South-West, South-East and South-South geo-political zones had met last week Tuesday and proscribed open grazing, saying it was causing food insecurity among others in their respective regions.
But featuring on Channels Television, Mr Malami said the action violated the rights of Nigerians on freedom of movement enshrined in the Nigerian constitution.
“It is as good as saying the northern governors come together to say that they forbid spare part trading in the North,” the justice minister explained, refusing to akin the ban on open grazing to the destructions of alcoholic beverages in some Northern states who, despite banning the sales and consumptions of the liquor, take part in the share of VAT accruing thereof.
He advised the state governors to approach the national assembly for amendment of the constitution if they so wish to prohibit open grazing.
“Does it hold water? If you’re talking of a constitutionally guaranteed right, the better approach to it is to go back to ensure that the constitution is amended,” Malami advised.
