Ghanaian National Sentenced For Unlawful Mining

Magistrate Sorie Momoh Sesay, of the Kamakwie Magistrates Court sentenced a Ghanaian national, Lawal Mensah.

Lawal Mensah was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment on Wednesday 21st August 2024, and also fined NLe 10,000 after he was found guilty on two counts charges of Undertaking Illegal Activities in a Protected Area, contrary to Section 12 of the National Protected Area Authority and Conservation Trust Fund Act, 2022; and Mining in a Protected Area, contrary to Section 7 of the Wildlife Conservation Act of 1972, as amended.

In his statement, Prosecutor Dauda Bangura Esq. said the convict was found undertaking dredge mining within the waterbody of the OKNP, adding that no person or group is permitted to undertake any activities within and around the OKNP.

According to him, the NPAA is determined to ensure no illegal activities are carried out within all Protected Areas across the country.

Following the conviction, Barrister Prosecutor Dauda Laingay Bangura expressed gratitude to Magistrate Sorie Momoh Sesay for the landmark judgment, which he referred to as a judicial precedent for Protected Areas in Sierra Leone.

The convict, Lawal Mensah will serve his jail term at the Port Loko Correctional Centre.

The Convict was arrested within the Outamba Kilimi National Park (OKNP), by the NPAA Law enforcement team during their routine patrols and surveillance exercises. The missions are supported by the EU-funded OKKPS project.