The Public Prosecutor's Office and the Sangha Departmental Directorate of Water and Forests vs Mekoua Lom Arnauld

Country
Territorial subdivision
Seat of court
Ouesso
Court jurisdiction
Date of opinion
2014
Abstract

In 2013, a police officer named Okemba Yoka Franck in possession of a war weapon was looking for a hunter to carry out big hunting. He met with Mekoua Lom Arnauld who found a hunter named Moussoka at Lengoue village and Okemba gave him the weapon. On February 2, 2013 Moussoka informed Mekoua the middleman that he has killed one elephant and both took appointment and Moussoka informed Okemba. On February 3, Mekoua followed Moussoka in the forest where the elephant was killed and found him with one known as Ossale. All three hid the meat and one tusk inside wheat bags and took pictures with Mekoua’s phone of. On their way back they came across a ranger patrol and run away leaving behind the meat, trophy and phone. Rangers discovered the pictures and then arrested Mekoua who brought them to his mother’s house where the PMK weapon was hidden.

Language of document
French
Reference number
No. 039/2014
Charges
Illegal possession of war weapon, complicity of killing a totally protected specie (elephant).
Transnational
No
Decision
Mekoua Lom Arnauld was found guilty of illegal possession of one war weapon and complicity of killing of a totally protected animal (elephant).
Appealed
No
Penalty
Mekoua Lom Arnauld was sentenced to twenty four months suspended imprisonment, XAF 100,000 (one hundred thousand) as fines and XAF 500,000 (five hundred thousand) as damages and to pay court fees; The Imprisonment in default of payment was fixed to its minimum.
Legislation cited
Law No 37-2008 of 28 November 2008 on wildlife and protected areas
ordinance No 62-24 of 16 October 1962 to lay down regulations on war weapons, ammunitions and materials