A Magistrate Court sitting at Rijiyar Zaki in Kano has convicted and sentenced one Alh Inuwa Ayuba to two months imprisonment or pay a fine for the illegal felling of seven neem trees located at Sarauniya village in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area.
According to the prosecution Counsel Barr. Bahijja H. Aliyu, the monitoring team from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, has got a tip for the illegal felling of neem trees at Sarauniya village, which contravenes the provision of the state environmental regulations and laws provided by the Kano State government.
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He said that they quickly apprehended the culprit and gathered all the relevant evidence which was presented before the court through the prosecution Counsel Barr Bahijjah H. Aliyu.
Recalled that the Kano State Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has Secured Environmental, Forestry and Pollution Control laws which deprived illegal cutting down of trees without obtaining permission from the relevant authorities as well as pollution issues and Open Defecation in the state.
According to the Prosecution Counsel, the court, after reviewing the evidence, convicted the defendant and imposed a fine or two months imprisonment, and he was mandated to plant 14 neem trees as a penalty for the offence.
The Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Dr Dahiru M. Hashim, commended the efforts of the Ministry’s enforcement team and the judiciary for their support in protecting the state’s environment.
“The conviction of this individual serves as a deterrent to others who engage in illegal activities that harm our environment,” Dr. Hashim said. “We will continue to work tirelessly to protect and preserve our natural resources for the benefit of present and future generations.”
“The Ministry urges residents to comply with environmental regulations and Pollution Laws and report any instances of environmental degradation to the appropriate authorities,” Ismail Garba Gwammaja,
Director of Public Enlightenment of the ministry stated.
