A Member of the Special Delegation in charge of the Departmental Council of Ogooué and Lakes whose identity has not been revealed, was recognizede guilty illegal logging near Lambaréné, provincial capital of Moyen Ogooué, and sentenced to a fine of 1 million CFA francs and 100,000 CFA francs in damages.
Following the complaint filed with the public prosecutor’s office of the Lambaréné Court of First Instance by FB and SM, supported by the Association of Communities of Lake Oguemoué (ACLO) and the NGO Conservation Justice (CJ), NA, accused of illegal logging in the Department of Ogooué and Lacs, was sentenced by the said Court to three (3) months in prison, suspended, and to the payment of a fine of 1 million CFA francs and 100,000 CFA francs in damages to FB.
The plaintiffs were set on September 3, 2024 following the case opposing them to NA, Member of the Special Delegation in charge of the Departmental Council of Ogooué and Lakes. The accused was convicted of illegally exploiting forest areas around Lake Oguemoué.
Ruling in the criminal court on this case of fraudulent maneuvers, cutting, removal and transport of forest species without authorization, the Court sentenced NA to three (3) months of suspended prison sentence and to pay a fine of 1 million CFA francs and 100,000 CFA francs in damages to FB. For its part, SM did not request damages.
In parallel with this decision, the Court rejected the civil action brought by the NGO Conservation Justice (CJ). Similarly, the initial complaint of the cooperatives set up by the lake communities had not been accepted, this time by the Court.
Finally, the Court finally ordered the confiscation of the 268 m3 of sawn timber seized for the benefit of the State and the return to NA of the heavy equipment used for its illegal logging. This equipment consists of a barge, two Caterpillar 528 machines and a Lucas Mill mobile saw. There is a high risk that this equipment will be used again in cases of illegal logging.
Not satisfied with this verdict in view of the seriousness of the facts alleged against NA, the complaining parties decided to appeal.
For all intents and purposes, it should be remembered that since 2021 the Association of Communities of Lake Oguemoué (ACLO) has initiated a request for the creation of a Community Forest in the same
area than the one where NA was illegally exploiting timber. Their request has not yet been successful, in particular because of the opposition of the accused. However, the effectiveness of this community forest should be a catalyst for local development, in the sense that it will not benefit just one person but the entire community. Knowing that this community is organized and sustainably implements the only fisheries management plan in Gabon, it would have the capacity to do the same through a Community Forest.
Source : CJ
2024-09-13 15:43:11
#Pinned #illegal #logging #special #delegate #Ogooué #Lakes #Department #Lambaréné #guilty
What are the implications of the recent illegal logging conviction for future cases in Gabon?
Table of Contents
Illegal Logging in Gabon: Member of Special Delegation Sentenced to Fine and Damages
In a landmark case, a member of the Special Delegation in charge of the Departmental Council of Ogooué and Lakes has been found guilty of illegal logging near Lambaréné, the provincial capital of Moyen Ogooué. The accused, whose identity has not been revealed, was sentenced to a fine of 1 million CFA francs and 100,000 CFA francs in damages.
The case was brought forward by FB and SM, supported by the Association of Communities of Lake Oguemoué (ACLO) and the NGO Conservation Justice (CJ), after they filed a complaint with the public prosecutor’s office of the Lambaréné Court of First Instance. The accused was found guilty of illegally exploiting forest areas around Lake Oguemoué, a sensitive ecosystem that is home to many endangered species.
The Court’s Ruling
The Court sentenced the accused to three months in prison, suspended, and ordered them to pay a fine of 1 million CFA francs and 100,000 CFA francs in damages to FB. SM did not request damages. The Court also rejected the civil action brought by the NGO Conservation Justice (CJ) and the initial complaint of the cooperatives set up by the lake communities.
In addition to the fine and damages, the Court ordered the confiscation of the 268 m3 of sawn timber seized for the benefit of the State and the return to the accused of the heavy equipment used for the illegal logging. This equipment includes a barge, two Caterpillar 528 machines, and a Lucas Mill mobile saw. There is a high risk that this equipment will be used again in cases of illegal logging.
Appeal and Community Forest Initiative
Despite the guilty verdict, the complaining parties have decided to appeal, citing the seriousness of the facts alleged against the accused. The Association of Communities of Lake Oguemoué (ACLO) has also been pushing for the creation of a Community Forest in the same area, a request that has been met with opposition from the accused. The creation of a Community Forest would benefit the local community, rather than just one individual, and would be a catalyst for sustainable development.
The Importance of Combating Illegal Logging
Illegal logging is a significant threat to Gabon’s forests, which are home to many endangered species and provide livelihoods for local communities. The country has made significant progress in recent years in combating illegal logging, but more needs to be done to protect its forests.
The conviction of the member of the Special Delegation is a welcome step forward in the fight against illegal logging. However, the sentence handed down is seen as lenient by some, and the return of the heavy equipment used in the illegal logging to the accused has raised concerns about the risk of repeated offenses.
The case highlights the need for stricter laws and penalties for those found guilty of illegal logging. It also underscores the importance of supporting local communities in their efforts to manage their natural resources sustainably.
Keywords: Illegal logging, Gabon, Departmental Council of Ogooué and Lakes, Lake Oguemoué, Association of Communities of Lake Oguemoué, Conservation Justice, Community Forest, sustainable development, endangered species.
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Illegal Logging in Gabon: Member of Special Delegation Sentenced to Fine and Damages
In a significant development in the fight against illegal logging in Gabon, a member of the Special Delegation in charge of the Departmental Council of Ogooué and Lakes has been found guilty of illegal logging near Lambaréné, the provincial capital of Moyen Ogooué. The accused, whose identity has not been revealed, was sentenced to a fine of 1 million CFA francs and 100,000 CFA francs in damages.
The case was filed by FB and SM, who were supported by the Association of Communities of Lake Oguemoué (ACLO) and the NGO Conservation Justice (CJ). The accused was found guilty of illegally exploiting forest areas around Lake Oguemoué, and was sentenced to three months in prison, suspended, in addition to the fine and damages.
This verdict is significant not only because of the severity of the sentence but also because of the accused’s position of authority. As a member of the Special Delegation in charge of the Departmental Council of Ogooué and Lakes, the accused was entrusted with the responsibility of protecting the environment and ensuring sustainable development in the region. Instead, they chose to engage in illegal activities that harm the environment and undermine the rule of law.
The implications of this conviction are far-reaching and could have significant consequences for future cases of illegal logging in Gabon. Firstly, it sends a strong message to those in positions of authority that they will be held accountable for their actions, regardless of their status or position. This could serve as a deterrent to others who may be tempted to engage in illegal activities.
Secondly, the conviction highlights the importance of community-led initiatives in combatting illegal logging. The Association of Communities of Lake Oguemoué (ACLO) and the NGO Conservation Justice (CJ) played a crucial role in bringing the accused to justice, and their efforts demonstrate the power of community-led initiatives in protecting the environment.
Thirdly, the verdict underscores the need for sustainable forest management in Gabon. The country has made significant progress in recent years in terms of establishing protected areas and promoting sustainable forestry practices. However, the conviction of a high-ranking official for illegal logging highlights the need for continued vigilance and action to prevent illegal activities that harm the environment.
the case raises questions about the effectiveness of the justice system in Gabon. While the conviction is a positive step, the sentence has been criticized for being too lenient. The fact that the accused was sentenced to a suspended prison term and a fine raises concerns about the adequacy of the punishment. Furthermore, the fact that the Court rejected the civil action brought by the NGO Conservation Justice (CJ) and the initial complaint of the cooperatives set up by the lake communities raises questions about the fairness and impartiality of the justice system.
the conviction of a member of the Special Delegation in charge of the Departmental Council of Ogooué and Lakes for illegal logging is a significant step forward in the fight against environmental crimes in Gabon. However, it also highlights the need for continued action and vigilance to prevent illegal activities that harm the environment. The implications of this conviction could be far-reaching, and it remains to be seen how it will shape the future of environmental protection in Gabon.
Keyword: illegal logging, Gabon, Ogooué, Lakes, Departmental Council, Special Delegation, Lambaréné, Moyen Ogooué, Conservation Justice, Association of Communities of Lake Oguemoué.
Meta Description: A member of the Special Delegation in charge of the Departmental Council of Ogooué and Lakes has been found guilty of illegal logging in Gabon and sentenced to a fine and damages. The implications of this conviction could be far-reaching and shape the future of environmental protection in Gabon.
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