In July 2016, Gonock Evounanga Edgard, Béranger Mesong and Ziba went 65 kms from Sembe on the Ngbala road in possession of a war weapon with the objective to cross Dja river on the Cameroon side in order to look for a hunter. They got in contact with Minda Xavier who immediately accepted to put his know-how at their disposal. They went to the forest for a hunting expedition and after few days they killed four elephants for a total of eight ivory tusks. They didn’t find a buyer on the cameroon side and went back to Sembe where they found Hamadou Abbo who was informed by Ziba and Mesong to buy the eight ivory tusks. Hamadou Abbo then bought the tusks to sell them in Cameroon. They were then arrested and brought before the state prosecutor who sent them to court for trial.
Country
Territorial subdivision
Court
Type of court
Seat of court
Ouesso
Court jurisdiction
Date of opinion
2016
Abstract
Language of document
French
Reference number
No. 183/2016
Charges
Killing of totally protected species (elephants), complicity of killing of totally protected specie (elephant), illegal trade in trophies of a totally protected specie (ivory tusks).
Species
Transnational
Yes
Decision
Minda Xavier was found guilty of Illegal killing of elephants; Gonock Evounanga Edgard was found guilty of complicity of illegal killing of elephants; Hamadou Abbo, Gonock Evounanga Edgard and Minda Xavier were found guilty of illicit trade in ivory.
Appealed
No
Penalty
Gonock Evounanga Edgard, Hamadou Abbo, Minda Xavier were sentenced to five years imprisonment each, XAF 500,000 (five hundred thousand) as fines each and to pay XAF 1,000,000 (one million) each as damages and court fees jointly. 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