The Public Prosecutor's Office and the Sangha Departmental Directorate of Water and Forests vs Golom Raphael

Country
Congo
Territorial subdivision
Sangha
Court
High Court of Ouesso
Type of court
National - higher court
Seat of court
Ouesso
Court jurisdiction
Criminal
Date of opinion
2019
Abstract

In May 2019, Golom Raphael was approached by one known as Didier who offered to sell him three ivory tusks. He then bought one tusk for XAF 300,000, after which investigations were opened against him and the file fowarded to the state prosecutor’s chambers and later to the court for trial.

Language of document
French
Reference number
No. 014/2019
Charges
Illegal possession and trade in ivory.
Species
African elephant
Transnational
No
Decision
Golom Raphael was found guilty of illicit trade in ivory; Golom Raphael was found not guilty of illegal possession of ivory tusk.
Appealed
No
Penalty
Golom Raphael was sentenced to two years imprisonment, XAF 100,000 (one hundred thousand) as fines and to pay XAF 1,000,000 (one million) as damages and court fees; The three tusks seized were returned to the Sangha Departmental Directorate of Water and Forests; 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