The State Attorney and the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife vs SANGHA Jean Réne

Country
Territorial subdivision
Type of court
Seat of court
Yokadouma
Court jurisdiction
Date of opinion
2013
Abstract

On the night of the 13 breaking 14 August 2013, elements of the conservation service of the Lobeke National Park received reliable information about an ongoing illegal poaching activity in that zone. Following this the team organized a field mission and arrested the accused SANGHA Jean Réne in possession of an arm and two (2) ivory tusks. During interrogation, he admitted committing the offence and accepted responsibility. He claimed that his elder brother named, Sangha Symphorien detained in the Yokadouma Prison was sick. He approached his debtor the named Francois Ngannoui to reimburse his money but the latter rather gave him a gun to kill an elephant an extract its ivories to sell and have some money to treat his brother. After his offence report was established, he was forwarded together with the seized items as exhibits before the state attorney of the court of First Instance Yokadouma for prosecution.

Language of document
French
Reference number
No. 240/COR
Charges
Illegal killing of totally protected animal species (elephant), illegal hunting, and violation of the use of arms
Money value
Unknown
Transnational
No
Decision
He was found guilty as charged and sentenced to two (02) months fixed imprisonment term, to pay 205,000 XAF for fines, 145.550XAF for costs, and 1.390.000 XAF as civil damages to the state of Cameroon represented by the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife
Appealed
No
Legislation cited
Penal Code, sec. 74
Law No. 94-01 of 20th January 1994 to lay down forestry, fisheries and wildlife regulations, secs. 101, 150, 155, 156, 158