A Magistrate Court sitting at Rijiyar Zaki in Kano has convicted and sentenced one Alhaji Inuwa Ayuba to two months jail term for illegal felling of seven neem trees at Sarauniya village in Dawakin Tofa local government area of the state.
The prosecution counsel, Barrister Bahijja Aliyu, told the court that a monitoring team from the Kano State Ministry of Environment and Climate Change acted on a tip-off regarding the unlawful cutting of trees, an act that violates the state’s environmental regulations.
She explained that the ministry’s team apprehended the culprit and gathered substantial evidence, which was presented during the court proceedings.
The prosecution noted that under the Kano State Environmental, Forestry, and Pollution Control Laws, it is illegal to cut down trees without obtaining permission from the relevant authorities.
These laws also address pollution control and the eradication of open defecation across the state.
After reviewing the evidence, the court found Ayuba guilty and sentenced him to two months in prison with an option of paying a fine.
Additionally, the convict was ordered to plant 14 neem trees as part of the penalty for his offense.
Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Dahiru Hashim, commended the enforcement team and the judiciary for their commitment to safeguarding the state’s environment.
“The conviction of this individual serves as a deterrent to others who engage in illegal activities that harm our environment.
“We will continue to work tirelessly to protect and preserve our natural resources for the benefit of present and future generations,” Dr. Hashim stated.
Similarly, the Director of Public Enlightenment at the ministry, Ismail Gwammaja, called on residents to respect environmental laws and report any incidents of environmental degradation to the appropriate authorities.
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