Country
Territorial subdivision
Type of court
Seat of court
Oyem
Court jurisdiction
Date of opinion
2017
Abstract
On October 30, 2017 at Minvoul, following an information on the killing of two elephants, agents of the Minkebe national park arrested ASSOMO Yannick then NGOYEB Robert in possession of four ivory tusks while they were trying to escape before asking the agents to settle the case. During his interrogation, NGOYEB Robert declared to have bought the tusks from a hunter in order to resell, that he wanted to settle the matter with agents and that he was living in Gabon since three years without a resident permit. ASSOMO Yannick to have participated in the hunting as carrier and illicit entered Gabon during the same October 2017.
Language of document
French
Reference number
Decision No 039 bis/17-18
Charges
Illegal possession of ivory trophies Purchase and sale of trophies; Lack of resident permit, attempt to bribe, escape; Complicity of hunting and illegal immigration.
Species
Transnational
Yes
Decision
NGOYEB Robert was found not guilty of trade in ivory tusks, attempt to escape and to bribe, and guilty of illicit possession of ivory tusks; ASSOMO Yannick was found guilty of complicity of hunting fully protected species and illegal immigration.
Appealed
No
Penalty
NGOYEB Robert and ASSOMO Yannick were sentenced to 12 months Imprisonment and XAF 50,000 (fifty thousand) as fines; both were banned to stay in Gabon for five years after their imprisonment; and to pay XAF 10,000,000 (ten million) as civil damages; The court ordered the sealed products to be confiscated to the profit of the Water and forests provincial department; The accused were sentenced to pay the costs.
Legislation cited
Decree No 163/PR/MEF setting the conditions for the possession, transport and trade in wild animal species, trophies and hunting products
Forest Code