By Prince J Musa in Kenema
A magistrate court in Kenema has sentenced two people for illegal mining, in a landmark decision environmental authorities hope will serve as a warning.
Lansana Kallon and Mustapha Sesay were sentenced to two years imprisonment each, plus a fine of Le20million by Magistrate Joseph Tobby of the Kenema Magistrate Court. They were sentenced on Tuesday, October 6th, after they were found guilty of illegal mining at the Kambui Reserve Forest.
The two accused persons were charged on two counts of illegally entering into government protected forest and illicit mining around the water catchment areas, where the Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO) dams are located within the Kambui Forest.
According to the particulars of the offences, the two accused persons sometime in September engaged in an illicit mining within the area, where SALWACO’s dam and water catchment is situated. The area is the source of water for the Kenema city.
The convicts were arrested on the 27th of September this year by a joint team of SALWACO and EPA workers and were handed over to the police for further investigation.
According to the court, the accused were arrested while in possession of equipment, including a shovel, iron rod and a cutlass.
The two accused pleaded guilty on both counts. But they were subsequently acquitted and discharged on count one.
“Polluting the source of water that is meant for public consumption is a serious offence to the state," Magistrate Tobby said, whiles reading the particulars of offence before the court.
“A precedent will be set for those engaged in illegal activities within the Kambui Forest this time," he declared, before passing his judgment.
The matter was prosecuted by EPA’s legal officer, Gibril Kamara and Inspector Aiah M. Teah from the Kenema Police Station.
The Regional Manager, EPA East, Allieu Dukulay Jalloh, told Politico immediately after the court verdict that this was the first time such a matter has been pursued in court to the end for the Kambui Reserve Forest.
"It’s the first environmental matter been pursued to court for Kambui Forest. EPA has engaged all stakeholders in Kenema City and other partners for the protection of the Kambui Forest. We have moved from sensitization to enforcement of EPA laws on environment,” he said.
He added that they were going to be more vigilant in the protection of the water source in the interest of the people of Kenema.
"For those people who are doing illicit mining close to the dam that supplies water to the community, EPA will not sit by and continue to see few people damage the health of our people through water contamination," he noted, adding: "The miners did not produce any environmental assessment impact license which is an offence, according to EPA Act 2008. We are pleased with the judgment on this matter. This is a signal to others.’’
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