A senior lawyer, Prof. Sebastine T. Hon, has criticized Benue state Governor Hyacinth Alia’s interpretation of the ECOWAS Transhumance Protocol.
Governor Alia was reported to have said in a media chat Thursday that the Transhumance Protocol allows free movement of herdsmen in West African countries.
But Hon in a statement made available to newsmen Friday in reaction to the live media chat argued that the governor’s understanding of the protocol is incorrect and that the protocol’s provisions are not being met by herders in the state.
He cites specific articles of the protocol and the African Charter, emphasizing the need for the governor to protect the rights and lives of Benue people.
He said the protocol, established in 1998, allows transhumance livestock movement with conditions, including obtaining an ECOWAS International Transhumance Certificate.
He noted that the certificate must detail herd composition, vaccinations, itinerary, border posts, and final destination, and be verified by competent authorities.
Prof. Hon challenged the governor to provide evidence of certificates issued to herders and proof of compliance with protocol conditions.
The professor argued that the African Charter, a regional legal document, supersedes the ECOWAS protocol, and Nigeria has domesticated its provisions.
The law professor questions the governor’s commitment to protecting Benue state citizens, citing attacks by herders and the need for designated routes and quarantine measures.
He argued that the African Charter’s provisions on equality, security, property, and development are compromised by the herders’ actions.