By Lamin Fatty
In a landmark judgment aimed at reinforcing environmental protection laws, the Wulli West District Tribunal on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, found four men guilty of illegal logging and sentenced two others in separate cases of bushfires that destroyed hundreds of hectares of land in the Upper River Region.
The tribunal, presided over by District Chief Mamadou Bah with the assistance of members of the Department of Forestry led by Regional Director Omar Siddibeh, issued stiff penalties as part of an escalating crackdown on unlawful environmental exploitation in rural Gambia.
Illegal Logging Convictions
The main case involved the illegal felling of protected Cordyla africana trees, locally known as wulakono duto, on private farmland in Jah Kunda. The four men convicted were Abdou Bah, a Senegal-based chainsaw operator; Gallo Sowe, identified by the court as the mastermind behind the operation; Yaya Jallow, who facilitated the transaction; and Batowo Sumareh, the landowner who authorized access to the trees.
The tribunal heard that although only Abdou Bah and Batowo Sumareh were formally summoned, courtroom testimony uncovered the broader scope of involvement by Sowe and Jallow.
Bah testified that while visiting his native village of Sare Kungel, he received a call from Gallo Sowe proposing the sale of 12 wulakono duto trees. “He told me he had access to the trees, and the landowner knew nothing about it,” Bah recounted. “Gallo charged D2,000 per tree. I paid him D5,000 in advance as part of a D24,000 agreement.”
Sumareh, the landowner, admitted that Sowe approached him about the trees but claimed he had no understanding of the timber trade. “He told me he would handle the sale and that I didn’t need to worry,” Sumareh said. “But after that day, I heard nothing until the police summoned me.”
Yaya Jallow, who connected Bah with Sowe, corroborated Bah’s account, confirming he was present during negotiations and witnessed the down payment. He voiced frustration over what he described as selective prosecution. “All four of us were questioned at Sare Ngai Police Station, but only two were summoned. Is Gallo above the law just because he’s the chief’s messenger?” he asked.
After weighing the evidence, the tribunal found all four men guilty under Section 87(1)(2) of the 2018 Forestry Act. Each was fined D15,000 or sentenced to six months’ imprisonment in default. Additionally, the group was ordered to pay D8,000 per illegally felled tree. Forestry officers confirmed that seven Cordyla africana trees were cut, bringing the restitution total to D56,000. Each convict must now pay a combined D29,000 in fines and compensation by May 31 or face incarceration.
Bushfire Cases: Over 400 Hectares Destroyed
On the same day, the tribunal also adjudicated two separate bushfire cases, each highlighting the environmental devastation caused by uncontrolled land clearing.
Fattiyo Keijera, a gardener from Bajon Koto village, was found guilty of causing a bushfire that consumed 34 hectares of farmland and forest. Charged under Sections 39(D)(E) of the Forestry Act, she was initially fined D20,000. However, following a plea in mitigation, the court reduced her fine to D10,000, payable within one week or she faces six months in prison.
In a more severe case, Sainey Sowe—commonly known as “Chockeh”—was convicted for starting a fire that razed over 400 hectares of land. Sowe initially denied involvement, but reversed his statement after multiple eyewitnesses placed him at the scene. He was fined D30,000 or sentenced to one year in prison if he fails to pay.
Speaking after the judgments were delivered, Lamin Tamba, a forestry officer who assisted with the prosecution, emphasized that these convictions should serve as a deterrent. “The Forestry Act gives us a clear mandate to protect our natural resources. These illegal activities not only destroy biodiversity but also endanger lives and livelihoods,” he said.
