A 27-year-old farmer, Leonard Ali, has been fined GH¢3,600 by the Hohoe Circuit Court for possessing a pistol without authority.
He will serve three years in prison in default of the fine.
Ali pleaded guilty to the charge and was convicted on his own plea.
Chief Inspector Charles Aziati, prosecuting, told the Court presided over by Mr Michael Johnson Abbey that on November 16, one Inspector Thompson Amesimeku, in charge of the night patrol team were on their normal patrol duties in the Hohoe Municipality.
He said about 10:40p.m, the patrol team visited the Hohoe main lorry station and saw a group of young men seated at the market square including the convict.
Chief Inspector Aziati said the convict upon seeing the patrol team took to his heels with his bag at his back.
He said the team suspected the convict, gave him a hot chase and arrested him.
Chief Inspector Aziati said the team searched the convict’s bag and saw one locally made pistol which led to his arrest for investigations.
He said an investigation cautioned statement was obtained from the convict, who told the Police that he went to Togo and took the pistol from his father’s bag and brought it to Ghana for hunting.
The Court ordered the destruction of the pistol on its premises in the presence of the Court’s Registrar. -GNA