WILDLEX

The accused person was arrested and arraigned of unlawful dealing with Government trophies. Then brought before the court to answer the charge. The accused was acquitted.

According to the lower court records, the appellant stood charged with the offence of unlawful possession of government trophy. He was found guilty, convicted and sentenced to 10 years jail imprisonment. The High Court allowed the appeal, quashed the conviction and set aside the sentence.

The case originated from Mpanda District Court where the appellant was charged with the offence of unlawful possession of government trophies. He was charged under ordinarily criminal case. The High Court quashed the decision, set aside the sentence and ordered to release the appellant from jail.

With the help of an informer, the accused person on 24th December 2000 at Mto wa Mbu area within Monduli District, Arusha region was found at Zanzibar guest house with two elephant tusks and three hippopotamus tusks property of the Tanzania government. The accused was found not guilty and therefore was acquitted.

On 13th April, 2011 at Mnyamasi area within Mpanda District, the accused persons were arraigned and found in unlawful possession of government trophies. A charge of unlawful possession was brought against the accused person before the court. The accused persons were acquitted.

On 11th May, 2010 at Mlangale village the accused person was arraigned and found in unlawful possession of firearm without a license. Also accused person was in unlawful possession of government trophies and ammunition. A charge brought before the court for accused to answer. The accused was convicted.

The accused was arrested at Ituka areas within Mikumi National Park in while he was in possession of various species specified as government trophies to wit were elephant tusks and hippopotamus teeth. He was also found in possession of fish and of various weapons believed to be used in poaching activities.

The accused persons were charged jointly and severally for contravening various provisions of the laws governing and regulating possession and disposition of the Government trophies. The main charge around this case was unlawful exportation of wild animals with total value of Tshs. 170,575,500.

That the accused persons were found in possession of the Government trophies/properties contrary to various provisions of the law hence were charged as follows: (i) that first and second accused persons in this case were jointly charged with five counts, (ii) the third accused person was charged with one count which was not economic offence (iii

The appellant was found in a game reserve to be in possession of fire arm and meat of the animals named in the species sub section below without a valid permit. During trial he denied the facts as presented by the prosecution.