WILDLEX

The appellant and the other two accused persons were charged and convicted of contravening section 19 (1) and (2) (b) of the Fauna Conservation Act (Cap. 38:01) that is hunting without a licence on seven counts and also contravening section 62 (1) and (3) of the Act being the eighth count of hunting during closed season.

The court held that the accused had been charged and convicted under the wrong section 14(1) and (2)(a) of Cap. 38:01 which prohibits the hunting or capturing of protected game. The court reasoned that a hartebeeste was neither a conserved animal nor protected game under the Second Schedule Part I or Part II.

In June 2011, the accused Salla Ntyam sent 5 people namely Oyane Yannick, Ekomane Ongueng, Samson, Nnanga Justin, Ekomane Ntolo YUlrich and Obiang Madochet to poach in a Gabonese forest. He gave them 02 arms, 43 ammunitions, and other provisions.

On the 20 August 2013, a certain MESSI Mvondo, a warrant officer took the accused SODJA Lucien, a senior warrant officer and NDONGO Leonard for poaching in a Forest Management Unit called FMU-LOREMA, a protected area. While in the forest, they all went their separate ways while Ndongo Leonard was in charge of catering.

On the 1st August 2011, the Chief of the Border Post of the National Security of Djoum received reliable information that a Mercedes truck matriculated CE 027-CL contains wildlife products specifically elephant ivories. A control team was set up and the said truck was seized and taken to the unit for a detailed search.

On the 28 April 2012, the accused Waya Samuel was arrested in the Central Market of Djoum. Flagrante delicto with O7 elephant tails. During interrogations, he claimed that the elephant tails were given to him by his brothers called Bombé Joel and Bekwa, who are the real owners the wildlife products.

On the 21st July 2011, the head of the South Antenna of the Dja conservation service received reliable anonymous information on an ongoing illegal wildlife trade in that zone.

On the 20 September 2011, the agents of the Forestry and Wildlife Control Post of Djoum, during a special anti-poaching operation, found and seized elephant tusks, 04 arms, ammunitions and knives in the house of ZO’O MINKO André who was arrested as well.

In November 2014, a joint anti-poaching patrol team funded by the TRIDOM project surprised the accused in illegal possession of three hunting guns labelled, Renato Baldini No R43348, Caliber Browsing No 412047 and Caliber 12 No. 07020306.

In October 2011, the accused Mengue Joel decided to carry out poaching in a Gabones forest. To succeed, he requested help from Ekomane Solomon, Atona Ferdinand, Kpwombo Marcel, to serve as carriers and a certain Masseba and Makelo Abel infamous Baka hunters. They gathered necessary provisions and embarked on the journey.