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Fertilizer Thieves Docket For AG

By Daily Guide
Crime & Punishment Fertilizer Thieves Docket For AG
AUG 13, 2015 LISTEN

Counsel for the accused persons, Michael Arthur Dadzie addressing journalists at court after the hour-long proceedings

The case docket of 18 persons standing trial before a Cape Coast Circuit Court for stealing as well as dishonestly receiving 1,201 bags of cocoa feed fertilizer worth GH¢20,287.60, belonging to the Ghana Cocoa Board, is expected to be referred to the Attorney General's (AG's) department anytime soon for advice.

This came to light when the case was called for hearing on Wednesday in Cape Coast.

The prosecutor, Chief Inspector Charles Yaw Anku, at the hearing, prayed the court presided over by Kofi Ametewee to allow the prosecution some time to refer the case to the AG's department for advice.

According to him, the case docket should have been referred to the AG's department for advice even before the second hearing of the case but that the prosecution was unable to do so due to the recent strike action of state attorneys at the AG's department.

The trial judge therefore adjourned the case to September 9.

Suspects
The suspects are Bright Wireko-Brobbey (A1), Felix Kwame Quainoo (A2), Ernest Odei Larbi (A3), Kwaku Nsowah (A4), Anthony Carr (A5), Daniel Annane Otto (A6), Abena Toah (A7), Abena Hawah (A8), Abubakar Farouk (A9), Obed Arhin (A10), Afia Ayimaduaa (A11), Lydia Cobbina (A12), Salomey Larbi (A13), Mary Donkor (14), Patience Ahemadu (A15), Monica Boadu (A16), Stephen Opong (A17) and Enti Isaac Jnr (A18).

Standing trial for stealing, abetment and conspiracy, all the suspects were present in court on Wednesday with their lawyer, Michael Arthur Dadzie.

Facts
Presenting the facts of the case at the initial hearing, the prosecutor said the complainant in the case is Dr Ofori-Gyamfi Eugene, Central Regional Manager of Ghana Cocoa Board.

He said Bright Wireko-Brobbey (A1) is a Community Development Specialist and that A2 is the District Cocoa Officer at Twifo Praso whilst A3 to A15 are cocoa farmers at Wawase near Twifo Hemang.

 Chief Inspector Yaw Anku added that 'A16 and A17 are unemployed, whilst A18 is an electrician. All the accused persons reside at Twifo Hemang and its surrounding villages.'

He noted that on June 12 this year rumour had it that suspect Wireko-Brobbey was distributing cocoa feed fertilizer from the Government of Ghana, which was meant for cocoa farmers within the region, to some NPP polling station executives with the intent of securing their votes during the party's parliamentary primaries, in which he was contesting.

He said A5, Anthony Carr, was arrested with 38 bags of fertilizer allegedly handed over to him by A1 and A4, Kwaku Nsowah, to be distributed to the polling station executives within the constituency on behalf of A1.

According to the prosecutor, suspect Wireko-Brobbey was later arrested but he denied any knowledge of the offence.

'A4 was subsequently arrested and it came to light that he conspired with A2 and A3 to steal 1,201 bags of fertilizer from the Cocoa Board office at Twifo Praso to be given to A5 to A18 to be shared among the polling station executives in the constituency to vote for A1 who earlier promised them of the cocoa feed fertilizer during his campaign,' he said.

He added that A5 to A18 were also arrested and that during investigation it emerged that they did not have any cocoa farms to merit the fertilizer.

BY Melvin Tarlue

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