A Kumasi circuit court has remanded a cocoa purchasing clerk
into prison custody for allegedly stealing GH¢28,532.00, belonging to his
employers.
Kwame Darkwa, 34, Manso-Tontokrom
Society agent of Agro-Ecom company, a licensed cocoa buying company in Kumasi,
is said to have embezzled the amount meant for the purchase of 78 bags of cocoa
beans from farmers in the area.
He pleaded guilty to the charge and was convicted on his own plea to reappear for sentencing before the court, presided by Mrs Patricia Amponsah, on July 4, this year.
Police Chief Inspector Timothy Amoako told the court that the complainant was the Kumasi District Manager of Agro-Ecom Company, based at Ayeduase in the Oforikrom municipality, while the accused was an agent of the company at the Manso-Tontokrom in the Amansie South District.
The court heard that between October 2018 and January 2019, the complainant entrusted GH¢197,925.00 into the hands of the accused, to purchase 435 bags of cocoa beans for the company.
Chief Insp Amoako said after supplying 357 bags of the beans to the company, the accused went into hiding, and attempts by the complainant to trace him proved futile.
Prosecution said on May 28, this year, the complainant had information that the accused had been arrested by the Kumasi Central Police in connection with another case.
Chief Insp Amoako told the court that the complainant identified the accused as the one who had absconded with the company’s money.
He said accused in his caution statement admitted the offence. – GNA