The accused persons LEFIDI AYISSI and SALLA epse NGONO NOMO Sydonie Anique were summoned by the State Attorney to appear before the Court to answer charges of complicity in the illegal detention of a totally protected class A animal species, a dead Gorilla. That on the 23 May 2013, the accused persons LEFIDI AYISSI and SALLA epse NGONO NOMO Sydonie Anique were arrested by ZANG MBARGA Come, element of the conservation service at the AKOABAS forestry and wildlife control post. They accused persons were transporting in a truck full of cocoa the body of dead Gorillas. Both of them refuted committing the offence and charged and claimed to be innocent. They explained that when they left Yaoundé on the 22 May 2013, they carried a certain ABOULOU with a package whose contents they did not verify until they arrived the check point at AKOABAS where they were stopped by the forestry and wildlife agents at the post. At the checkpoint where they were stopped, the when they were stopped, the owner of the package sneakily jumped out of the truck and escaped. An instant search of their truck was conducted, leading to the discovery of the body of a gorilla. Both accused persons denied the charges against them but accepted to have transported the remains of the gorilla found in their truck on a hired motor bike to the wildlife sanctuary in Oveng. The charges against them was supported and reinforced by the revealing testimony of a certain NYANGONO Moise Armel who testified to have bypassed two people carrying two Gorilla bodies while returning from OLOUNOU.
The State Attorney and the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife vs. LEFIDI AYISSI and SALLA epse NGONO NOMO Sydonie Anique
Country
Territorial subdivision
Court
Type of court
Seat of court
Djoum
Court jurisdiction
Date of opinion
2014
Abstract
Language of document
French
Reference number
No. 179/COR of 21 October 2014
Charges
Illegal detention of a totally protected class A animal species.
Species
Transnational
No
Decision
The accused persons LEFIDI AYISSI and SALLA epse NGONO NOMO Sydonie Anique were found guilty as charged.
Appealed
No
Penalty
They were sentenced to two (02) months fixed term imprisonment each, to pay 100.000 XAF each for fines and to jointly pay 131,000 XAF for costs.
Legislation cited
Law No. 94/01 of 20 January 1994 to lay down forestry, wildlife and fisheries regulations