On May 11, 2014 a joint patrol funded by WWF and organized by the gendarmerie of Sembe. The patrol team went to Lopo village where the inhabitants informed them that Debe Ludovic was in possession of a PMK war weapon that he used to carry big hunting at the border area between Congo and Gabon. After investigations, they arrested Debe Ludovic who first admitted that he is involved in this activity since 2008 and has killed nine elephants in total, and then denounced Sabelle Gyna as the owner of the war weapon that he used to kill the animals. Sabelle Gyna was arrested and admitted being the owner of the weapon that she inherited from her late junior brother Dago Oscar. Debe Ludovic and Sabelle Gyna were brought before the state prosecutor who sent them to court for trial.
The Public Prosecutor's Office and the Sangha Departmental Directorate of Water and Forests vs Debe Ludovic, Sabelle Gyna
Country
Territorial subdivision
Court
Type of court
Seat of court
Ouesso
Court jurisdiction
Date of opinion
2014
Abstract
Language of document
French
Reference number
No. 096/2014
Charges
Killing of totally protected species (elephants), illegal possession of war weapon, complicity of killing a totally protected specie (elephant).
Species
Transnational
Yes
Decision
Debe Ludovic was found guilty of illegal possession of one war weapon and killing of a totally protected animal (elephant). Sabelle Gyna was found guilty of illegal possession of one war weapon and complicity of killing of a totally protected animal (elephant).
Appealed
No
Penalty
Debe Ludovic and Sabelle Gyna were sentenced to twenty four months imprisonment each, XAF 200,000 (two hundred thousand) as fines and XAF 500,000 (five hundred thousand) as damages and to pay court fees jointly; The execution of the imprisonment term was suspended; The Imprisonment in default of payment was fixed to its minimum
Legislation cited
Law No 37-2008 of 28 November 2008 on wildlife and protected areas
Ordonnance N°62/24 du 16 Octobre 1962 fixant le régime des matériels de guerre, des armes et munitions