On the 27 June 2018, the accused HAWA was arrested in the MADA neighbourhood in BERTOUA by elements of the Gendarmerie Legion, East during a search at her home. She was arrested in possession of two (2) elephant ivories. Earlier on the day of the search, the accused had cleaned her home and took out some belongings to put them away behind her house, in particular the aforementioned ivory tusks which was later discovered by elements of the gendarmerie. She pretended not to be the owner of these trophies hidden in a bag carefully tied behind her house but attributed the owner to a certain ALHADJI HABOU, whose home and telephone number she did not know. She further affirmed that the latter is a shopkeeper and tenant at her aunt, a certain HADJA KANDE's house, of which she has no information either. During interrogation, she denied all charges and refused committing any offence. The matter first appeared in court on the 22 August 2019. While in court she pleaded not guilty. After this hearing, she no longer appeared in court same with the shopkeeper ALHADJI HABOU. The court later analyzed that the said ALHADJI HABOU does not exist and that she only created the character.