Mr OKALE Robert, head of the South antenna of the Dja biosphere reserve received reliable information from informal sources admitting that unidentified individuals were about to carry out an illegal transaction involving trophies of totally protected animals species at the Jeannette hostel located in the Etoile district in Djoum. Upon reception of this information, Mr OKALE Robert constituted a team of three eco-guards with the ultimate goal of apprehending these poachers. After some moment of investigation, the team raided the scene of the transaction and surprised the individuals namely EKOUMOU Joseph Nice and ELANG Francois in possession of three gorilla skulls and one chimpanzee skull. During interrogation, EKOUMOU Nice acknowledged committing the offences as reproached and admitted that a certain ELANG Francois contacted him for them to go to the locality of Alati to carry out a purchase on January 16, 2015. A certain Odile contacted them to buy Gorilla and Chimpanzee parts. They all agreed to meet at the hotel Jeannette Inn, to carry out the transaction. It was at that point that elements of conservation came in and arrested them.
Country
Territorial subdivision
Court
Type of court
Seat of court
Djoum
Court jurisdiction
Date of opinion
2015
Abstract
Language of document
French
Reference number
No. 032/COR of 03 March 2015
Charges
Illegal detention and circulation of trophies of totally protected animal species.
Species
Transnational
No
Decision
The accused EKOUMOU Joseph Nice was found guilty of illegal detention and circulation of trophies of protected animal species.
Appealed
No
Penalty
He was sentenced to two months (02) fixed term imprisonment, to pay 100.000 XAF for fines and to pay 29,650 XAF for costs, and 500.000 XAF as civil damages to the State of Cameroon through the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife.
Legislation cited
Law No 94/01 of 20 January 1994 to lay down forestry, wildlife and fisheries regulations