Farmer before court for allegedly stealing palm fruits for research

Asamankese, April 30, GNA - Lawrence Adjei Amekeh, a farmer has appeared before Asamankese Circuit Court for allegedly stealing palm fruits belonging to Oil Palm Research Institute (OPRI) at Kusi valued at GH¢6,201.

Amekeh pleaded not guilty and was granted GH¢7,000 bail with a surety to be justified and would re-appear on May 18.

Police Inspector G.T. Nartey prosecuting told the court presided over by Mr Emmanuel Siameh that, the accused allegedly stole seven sacks of palm fruits being harvested for research at the Oil Palm Research Institute (OPRI) at Kusi.

He said the institute's security personnel on patrol duty spotted Amekeh collecting the palm fruits dumped by the roadside by workers of the institute, into sacks hidden in nearby bush.

The prosecution said during his arrest, he struggled with the security personnel and caused damage to a uniform estimated at GH¢40 but was over powered and handed over to the police.

He said the accused claimed the palm fruits were from his farm but policemen and security guards accompanied him to the farm, it was realised there were no ripe palm fruits and after investigations charged with the offence.

GNA