WILDLEX

On about 16th day of June 2009 at Manyara ranch area, Makuyuni village within Monduli District in Arusha region, the accused was found in unlawful possession of one elephant tusk property of the Government of Tanzania. The accused was found guilty and was therefore convicted.

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 appellant aggrieved by the decision of the District Court of Monduli in Economic Crime Case No. 8 of 2009 lodged an appeal before the High Court. The case originated from Monduli District Court Criminal Case No. 8 of 2009.

On 18.07.2000, the Tarangire National Park rangers were informed that certain villagers of Sangaiwe, of whom the appellant was one, were in possession of government trophies. They laid information to the police and made a follow up at Sangaiwe. On arrival there, they contacted the village leadership.

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.

The accused persons on 12.07.2014 at Kaloleni area within Arusha city were found in unlawful possession of five ivory tusks the property of Tanzania Government. In this case, Anti-poaching Unit received a tip from an informer that the accused person were in possession of ivory tusks and were looking for a buyer.

On 25th day of 2013, accused was found in possession of the Government trophy and was charged for being in possession of the Government trophies contrary to section 86 (1) and (2) (b) of the Wildlife Conservation Act, No. 5 of 2009 read together with section 14(d) of the Economic and Organized Crime Control Act [Cap 200 R.E 2002].

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.

Accused person were arrested for having been found in possession of a government trophy and were charged accordingly. There pleaded guilty and were convicted.

The appellant was stood charged with the offence of unlawful possession of government trophy c/s 170 (1) and (2) of the Wildlife Conservation Act. No. 12 of 1974 read together with para 15 of the 1st Schedule and section 59 (2) of the Economic and Organized Crimes Act No. 13 of 1992 of 1984 as amended by Act No. 3 of 1992.