Country
Territorial subdivision
Type of court
Seat of court
Oyem
Court jurisdiction
Date of opinion
2019
Abstract
On December 13, 2018, following an information on a ivory tusks and leopard skins trafficking to take place in a hotel near Akoakam stadium, water and forests officers went to the place and found MEVI-MEVI Christopher, DRAMANE SAWADOGO, BANSE Idrissa. During the interrogation, MEVI-MEVI Christopher admitted to have killed one leopard few months ago a kept the skin. He was then contacted by BANSE Idrissa who was looking for somebody in possession of ivory tusks and leopard skin. They agreed on the price and took an appointment at the hotel where the buyer was staying. BANSE also contacted his brother DRAMANE SAWADOGO who provided him with a leopard skin that he bought at XAF 20,000 (twenty thousand).
Language of document
French
Reference number
Decision No 178/2018-2019
Charges
Killing of a protected specie, sale and complicity of possession of ivory tusks, possession of ivory tusks, lack of residence permit.
Species
Transnational
Yes
Decision
DRAMANE SAWADOGO and BANSE Idrissa BEKALE NDONG Sébastien were found not guilty of hunting and transport of products of fully protected species; and guilty of lack of resident permit; MEVI-MEVI was found guilty of hunting, possession and transport of products from fully protected species.
Appealed
No
Penalty
BANSE Idrissa was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment and XAF 200,000 (two hundred thousand) as fines; and a ban of ten years to stay in Gabon; and to pay XAF 2,000,000 (two million) as civil damages to the wildlife administration; DRAMANE SAWADOGO was sentenced to six months imprisonment and XAF 180,000 (one hundred and eighty thousand) as fines; MEVI-MEVI Christopher was sentenced to three months imprisonment and XAF 150,000 (one hundred and fifty thousand) as fines and to pay XAF 1,000,000 (one million) as civil damages to the wildlife administration; The court ordered the confiscation of sealed products to the benefit of the State; All accused were sentenced to pay the costs.
Legislation cited
Forest Code