A magistrate’s court at Rijiyar Zaki, Kano, has convicted and sentenced Inuwa Ayuba to two months imprisonment with an option of fine for illegally felling seven neem trees

A magistrate’s court at Rijiyar Zaki, Kano, has convicted and sentenced Inuwa Ayuba to two months imprisonment with an option of fine for illegally felling 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 swiftly on a tip-off about the illegal activity. The team apprehended the culprit, gathered evidence, and presented the case before the court.
The convict’s action violated Kano State’s Environmental, Forestry, and Pollution Control Laws, which prohibit tree felling without prior authorization, alongside regulations against pollution and open defecation.

After reviewing the evidence, the court found the defendant guilty, sentencing him to either two months in prison or payment of a fine. Additionally, he was ordered to plant 14 neem trees as part of his penalty.

Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Dahir Hashim, commended the ministry’s enforcement team and the judiciary for their commitment to protecting the environment.

“The conviction serves as a strong deterrent to those harming our environment,” Dr. Hashim stated.

“We will continue to safeguard our natural resources for the well-being of current and future generations,” the commissioner said.

The ministry, in a statement by its spokesman, Ismail Gwammaja, urges all residents to comply with environmental regulations and report any acts of environmental degradation to the appropriate authorities.