A magistrate’s court sitting at Rijiyar Zaki, Kano, has convicted and sentenced Inuwa Ayuba to two months’ imprisonment or an option of a fine for illegally cutting down seven neem trees in Sarauniya village, Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area.
According to the prosecution counsel, Bahijja H. Aliyu, a monitoring team from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change acted promptly after receiving a tip-off about the illegal activity. The team apprehended Ayuba, gathered evidence, and brought the case before the court.
The convict’s actions violated Kano State’s Environmental, Forestry, and Pollution Control Laws, which strictly prohibit unauthorized tree felling, among other environmental offenses.
After reviewing the evidence presented, the court found Ayuba guilty and sentenced him to two months’ imprisonment with an alternative option of paying a fine. The court further ordered him to plant 14 neem trees as part of his penalty.
READ ALSO:How Two Boys Disappear Inside Mysterious Ditch In Kano
Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Dahir Hashim, commended the ministry’s enforcement team and the judiciary for their swift action.
“The conviction serves as a strong deterrent to those harming our environment,” Dr. Hashim said. “We will continue to safeguard our natural resources for the well-being of current and future generations.”
In a statement issued by the ministry’s spokesman, Ismail Gwammaja, residents were urged to comply with environmental regulations and to report any acts of environmental degradation to the appropriate authorities.