UBUSHINJACYAHA v. NSENGIYUMVA N’ABANDI

UBUSHINJACYAHA v. NSENGIYUMVA N’ABANDI

Trading in elephant ivory, even without proof of killing elephants, constitutes an offence under Article 200 (d) (i) (ii) of the EAC Customs Management Act, as the accused possessed and concealed ivory without the required permits. There was insufficient evidence to convict on killing elephants or being accomplices....

Source-derived case information.

Citation
RLR V.1 - 2020
Parties
Applicant: Ubushinjacyaha; Respondent: Nsengiyumva Vincent; Respondent: Vunumwami Egide; Respondent: Semasaka Silas; Respondent: Karambizi Alphonse
Court
Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction
Rwanda
Judgment Date
12 July 2019
Case Number
– RPA 00074/2018/CA
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Court of Appeal Judgment
Outcome
partially allowed
Legal Topics
Illegal Trade in Elephant Ivory, Protected Species, Application of EAC Customs Management Act, Burden of Proof in Criminal Cases, Interpretation of Penal Statutes
Source Language
rw
Criminal Law Environmental Law Customs Law Illegal Trade in Elephant Ivory Protected Species Application of EAC Customs Management Act Burden of Proof in Criminal Cases Interpretation of Penal Statutes

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Parties

Ubushinjacyaha

Applicant

Nsengiyumva Vincent

Respondent

Vunumwami Egide

Respondent

Semasaka Silas

Respondent

Karambizi Alphonse

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Court of Appeal Judgment

  1. 1 Whether trading in elephant ivory constitutes a criminal offence under Rwandan law or EAC Customs Management Act
  2. 2 Whether there is sufficient evidence to convict the accused of killing elephants or being accomplices
  3. 3 Whether the accused can be convicted for trading in ivory without proof of killing elephants

Ratio Decidendi

Trading in elephant ivory, even without proof of killing elephants, constitutes an offence under Article 200 (d) (i) (ii) of the EAC Customs Management Act, as the accused possessed and concealed ivory without the required permits. There was insufficient evidence to convict on killing elephants or being accomplices. Penal statutes cannot be interpreted extensively to criminalize conduct not expressly covered.

Court Disposition

partially allowed

Orders

  • Conviction of Nsengiyumva Vincent and Vunumwami Egide for illegal possession and trade in elephant ivory under EAC Customs Management Act; acquittal of Semasaka Silas and Karambizi Alphonse; sentences of 2 years (Nsengiyumva) and 3 years (Vunumwami); order to pay court costs of 50,000 RWF.