Ousman Jabang, the deputy Alkalo of Kartong village in the Kombo South district of the West Coast Region, was yesterday convicted and sentenced to a fine of D4, 000 in default to serve six months in prison by the Kombo South district tribunal presided over by Chief Sheriff Janneh.
He was also suspended from his position for two months without salary.
Jabang, who was also the badge messenger of the Kombo South district tribunal, was convicted upon his own plea of guilty for illegal felling of rhun palm trees at Karton village, contrary to the Forestry Act.
He was also said to have been found with twelve rhun palm trees split into 411 pieces.
In his plea of mitigation, the convicted person, Ousman Jabang, stated that he is the breadwinner of the family, and appealed to the tribunal to exercise mercy, as he was a first-time offender.
He was charged along with two others, Lamin Margan and Amedou Ceesay, who both failed to appear at the district court.
Lamin Margan was reported to be sick and could not attend the court, but the tribunal ordered his arrest, and that he should produce his medical paper by the next sitting to ascertain the claim.
In his ruling, the presiding chief expressed dissatisfaction over the act committed by the deputy alkalo, Ousman Jabang.
The chief also used the sitting to warn the people of Kombo South to desist from intruding into and destroying the forest.
According to him, there would be no compromise should anybody be found wanting in his district, while commending the Forestry officials for their stance against forest intruders.
Babucarr Badjie and Jerreh Ba Barrow represented the Forestry Department before the tribunal.