By Winnie Onu, Makurdi
Lawyers Alert has challenged the Federal Government’s proposed ranching programme in Benue State, warning that establishing ranches without the consent and participation of affected communities could trigger fresh land disputes, displacement and insecurity.
The legal and human rights organisation said it was preparing to approach a competent court to seek clarification on the constitutional and legal basis for the Federal Government’s reported plan to establish ranches in the state as part of efforts to resolve the lingering farmer-herder crisis.
In a statement signed by its Legal Head, Bamidele Jacob, Lawyers Alert said the proposed intervention raised serious concerns over land rights, displacement, security, public participation and constitutional provisions.
The organisation said its proposed suit would be pursued through strategic impact litigation to determine the respective powers of the Federal and state governments over land and the establishment of ranches.
It said the litigation would also seek to establish the rights of affected communities and internally displaced persons in relation to land and livelihoods, as well as the requirement for meaningful consultation and participation in decisions that could significantly affect them.
According to the group, communities across Benue have endured killings, destruction of homes and farms, displacement and loss of livelihoods due to persistent insecurity and farmer-herder-related violence.
It warned that proceeding with ranch establishment without first addressing the concerns of affected communities and displaced persons could deepen existing grievances and create new tensions over land.
Lawyers Alert, however, said it was not opposed to lawful livestock production, ranching or peaceful pastoralism, stressing that voluntary and lawful ranching could form part of the solution to Nigeria’s farmer-herder crisis.
It said its objection was to any attempt to impose, establish, allocate or facilitate ranches in Benue without meaningful consultation, lawful land acquisition, respect for existing state legislation and protection of community interests.
The organisation noted that Benue already had legislation regulating open grazing and providing a framework for ranching, insisting that any Federal Government intervention must comply with the Constitution, applicable laws and the principles of federalism.
Lawyers Alert further called on the Federal Government to engage the Benue State Government, traditional institutions, farmers, pastoralist communities, IDPs, women, youths, civil society organisations and other stakeholders before taking steps capable of affecting land ownership, use, access and livelihoods.
It stressed that its decision to approach the courts should not be interpreted as a rejection of dialogue, saying litigation and engagement with government could work together to strengthen democratic accountability.
The group said Benue deserved a rights-based solution to the farmer-herder crisis, warning that poli.cies designed to promote peace should not inadvertently create new grievances, displacement or conflicts over land.
It added that the proposed legal action would be pursued in the public interest and in furtherance of its mandate to promote human rights, access to justice, accountability and the rule of law.
