Grave Looter justifies grave looting

A Grave Looter, Kwame Baah attempted to justify his vocation when he appeared before the Wamfie District Magistrate's Court charged with grave looting.

Baah, who pleaded guilty, told the court, presided over by Mr Owusu Atta Kaakyire that he did not see why valuable items could be used to burry the dead while he was alive and unemployed and could sell those items to make some money to improve his living condition.

The Judge, however, told him that if he were unemployed that did not mean that he should go and steal and sentenced him to two year's imprisonment with hard labour.

The Prosecutor, Inspector Daniel Bonya of Dormaa Police told the court that on February 6, 2009 Baah was seen by some people digging at a grave at the Gyaase Royal Family Cemetery at Dormaa Ahenkro at about 2300 hours.

He said the people shouted and Baah bolted but on the next day the accused was again seen looting another grave at the Ankobea Royal Cemetery at Dormaa.

Inspector Bonya said a report was made to the Police and Baah was later arrested.

He said when the Police searched the room of Baah, gold ornaments including necklaces, earrings and some items used in burying the dead, cutlasses and shovels were retrieved.

GNA