Momodou Jarju, alias Baringo, Alkalo of Sohm village, Kombo East , who also double as a staff of Community Development, and seven other accused persons were last

Wednesday paraded before Kombo East District Tribunal presided over by Alhagie Basiru Jarju, Chief of Kombo East. The men were charged with illegal tree cutting and charcoal burning contrary to section 111 of the Forest Act.

The men Samba Touray, Alieu Mballow, Abdourahman Jallow, Ebrima Barry, Ousman Touray, Alpha Omar Jallow and Salifu Mballow pleaded guilty to the charge against them. Momodou Jarju, alias Baringo Alkalo of Sohm pleaded not guilty.

Samba Touray one of the accused persons'' who pleaded guilty disclosed to the District tribunal that Momodou Jarju, Alkalo of Sohm gave him the authority to cut down the trees and burn charcoal .

According to Mr Touray, Alkalo Jarju has taken D2000 from him. However, Alkalo Jarju denied giving them the authority or taking money from them.

Ousman Touray, another accused person also told the tribunal that Alkalo Jarju gave him the mandate to cut the trees and burn charcoal. He further revealed that, he also gave Alkalo Jarju D8000.

However, Alkalo Jarju denied giving them the mandate or taking money from them.

Five of the accused who pleaded guilty; Alieu Mballow, Abdourahman Jallow, Ebrima Barry, Alpha Omar Jallow and Salifu Mballow were fine each D6000 on count one for illegal cutting down of trees contrary to Section 111 of the Forest Act or in default to serve twelve months imprisonment.

Furthermore, the five were sentenced to fine of D3000 each on count two for illegal burning of charcoal contrary to Section 108 Sub-Section 1 of the Forestry Act or in default to serve six years imprisonment.

However, the case of Alkalo Momodou Jarju and the other two convicts was adjourned to Wednesday April 16 for continuation