A Magistrate Court sitting at Rijiyar Zaki in Kano has convicted and sentenced Inuwa Ayuba to two months imprisonment or pay a fine for 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, got a tip on 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.
The team quickly apprehended the culprit and gathered all the relevant evidence, which was presented before the court.
Recall that the Kano State Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has secured environmental, forestry, and pollution control laws, which prohibit the illegal cutting down of trees without obtaining permission from the relevant authorities, as well as pollution issues and open defecation in the state.
After reviewing the evidence, the court imposed a fine or two months’ imprisonment, and he was mandated to plant 14 neem trees as a penalty for the offense.
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.
Credit: Ismail Garba Gwammaja
