Court jails two for illegal tree felling, conspiracy in Kano

...Warns public against deforestation, vows crackdown

A magistrate court sitting in Kano has sentenced two men to prison for conspiracy and illegal tree felling, in breach of the state’s environmental protection laws.

The convicts, Mr Salihu Mukhtar and his accomplice, were prosecuted for cutting down a tree without authorisation along Jigawa Road, Nasarawa GRA, Kano State.

Delivering judgment on Thursday, 17th July 2025, Justice Auwalu Yusuf of Court 2, Normasland, sentenced each defendant to three months imprisonment or ₦20,000 fine for conspiracy, and six months imprisonment or ₦50,000 fine for illegal felling of trees.

In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Dr Dahiru M. Hashim, the ministry decried the rising cases of environmental vandalism and warned of a tougher stance on offenders.

“The Ministry strongly condemns all acts of environmental vandalism, particularly illegal deforestation, which undermines government efforts toward climate resilience, urban beautification, and improved air quality,” the statement reads.

The prosecuting counsel, Barrister Bahijjah H. Aliyu, told the court that the two men conspired to violate the Kano State Penal Code and Forestry Laws.

The Commissioner urged the public to report any form of environmental crimes to appropriate authorities as part of efforts to safeguard the state’s ecosystem.