By Dennis Josiah
Kamakwie, Sierra Leone — On Wednesday, August 21, 2024, Lawal Mensah, a Ghanaian national, was sentenced to 12 months in prison and fined NLe 10,000 by Magistrate Sorie Momoh Sesay at the Kamakwie Magistrates Court.
Mensah was found guilty on two charges: undertaking illegal activities in a protected area and mining within a protected area, both of which contravene Sierra Leone’s environmental protection laws.
The case against Mensah was brought to light following his arrest within the Outamba Kilimi National Park (OKNP) by the National Protected Area Authority (NPAA) law enforcement team. The NPAA’s routine patrols and surveillance operations, supported by the EU-funded OKKPS project, led to the discovery of Mensah engaging in dredge mining activities within the park’s waterbody.
During the court proceedings, Prosecutor Dauda Laingay Bangura Esq. emphasized that no individual or group is authorized to conduct any form of activity within and around the OKNP.
Bangura underscored the NPAA’s commitment to preserving Sierra Leone’s protected areas by enforcing strict regulations against illegal activities.
In delivering the verdict, Magistrate Sesay highlighted the significance of the judgment in reinforcing the protection of Sierra Leone’s national parks and wildlife reserves.
Following the conviction, Barrister Dauda Laingay Bangura expressed appreciation for the Magistrate’s ruling, describing it as a landmark judgment and a judicial precedent for the enforcement of environmental laws in Sierra Leone.
This case marks a critical step in the country’s efforts to uphold conservation laws and combat illegal mining activities that threaten its natural resources.
