The Enchi District Magistrate Court on Monday
sentenced two farmers to 48 months imprisonment in hard labour for stealing
seven bags of dried cocoa beans worth GH¢2,900.00
Kwabena Kyei, 25, and Kwasi Asante, 26, were
sentenced to 24 months each for causing unlawful damage and stealing.
In addition, two other accused, Afuah Mansah,
29, unemployed, and Akosua Ndaabrah, 50, farmer, are being tried on the same
case for abetment and having in possession stolen property.
They pleaded guilty with explanation, and the
court, presided by Mr Eric Baah Boateng, granted them bail in the sum of
GH¢3,000.00 each with one surety each and were expected to make their next
appearance today.
Detective Sergeant Joseph Kwadwo Agyare told the
court that on August 11, 2019, at about 7am, the Dadieso police had a tip-off
that people had taken bags of dried cocoa beans, suspected to have been stolen
to a house at Black Man, a suburb of Dadieso in the Suaman District.
He said when the police proceeded to the house,
they met Kwesi Asante’s girlfriend Afuah Mansah, and her mother, Akosuah Ndaabrah.
Sgt Agyare said when the house was searched they
found three bags of dried cocoa beans in Mansah’s room, and another four bags
in Ndaabrah’s room.
Prosecution said the two accused were arrested
and they together with the seven bags of dried cocoa beans were taken to the
police station.
Sgt Agyare said the two in their caution
statement mentioned the names of Kyei, Asante, and Okra, who is on the run, as
the culprits.
The court heard that the convicts admitted the
offence in caution statements obtained from them.
Sgt Agyare said the convicts led the police to
Kwasuo and showed them a cocoa shed, which they broke into and made away with
the seven bags of dried cocoa beans. – GNA