In January 2012, Sinabo Peter was hired as manager of a transport and beverage depot with headquarters in Yaounde. In October 2012, he went on leave in his native country and received a parcel of ivory tusks from one known as Abakar to transport with him for a fee. During the night from November 26 to 27, 2013 the new manager of the depot Kamgang Jacques gave the parcel to Akpalakoum John the driver of the company vehicle’s mercedes 3340 plate number LTTRO95AF following instructions from Sinabo Peter for XAF 100,000. The driver instructed his assistant Nzali-Simo Pierre Marie to hide the tusks under the fuel tank of the vehicle. At Djaka II check point, rangers discovered the parcel containing ivory tusks under the fuel tank. Rangers arrested the suspects, brought them to the Pokola gendarmerie brigade and then to the state prosecutor who sent them to court for trial.
The Public Prosecutor's Office and the Sangha Departmental Directorate of Water and Forests vs Sinabo Peter, Kamgang Jacques, Akpalakoum John
Country
Territorial subdivision
Court
Type of court
Seat of court
Ouesso
Court jurisdiction
Date of opinion
2014
Abstract
Language of document
French
Reference number
No. 456/2014
Charges
Complicity of possession of ivory tusks Possession and complicity of trade in ivory tusks requalified to attempt to trade in ivory tusks.
Species
Transnational
Yes
Decision
Sinabo Peter and Akpalakoum John were found guilty of possession and attempt to trade in trophies of a totally protected specie (elephant); Kamgang Jacques was found not guilty of complicity of possession of trophies of a totally protected specie (elephant).
Appealed
No
Penalty
Sinabo Peter and Akpalakoum John were sentenced to three years imprisonment and XAF 300,000 (three hundred thousand) as fines each and to pay XAF 2,000,000 (two million) as damages jointly and court fees; The execution of the imprisonment term was suspended; The Imprisonment in default of payment was fixed to its maximum.
Legislation cited
Law No 37-2008 of 28 November 2008 on wildlife and protected areas
Law No 7-62 of 20th January 1962 regulating the exploitation of wildlife