“Do we sell tomatoes here?” — says Judge as accused seeks bail reduction in police armoured vehicle theft case

Proceedings at the Kwadaso Circuit Court in Kumasi took a light-hearted turn on Thursday when the presiding judge, His Honour Jephtha Appau, jokingly asked whether the court was “selling tomatoes.”

The remark came after a 26-year-old accused person, Ebenezer Frimpong, who is standing trial for allegedly stealing a police armoured vehicle, pleaded for a reduction in his bail conditions.

Frimpong, a native of Antwi Agyeikrom in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region, is accused of stealing the police armoured vehicle at Nkawie in the Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipality. He has been on remand since his arrest on April 15, 2026.

At Thursday’s sitting, the court granted him bail in the sum of GH¢50,000 with one surety, who must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, be gainfully employed, and earn a net monthly income of at least GH¢2,500.

The surety is also required to justify the bail with movable or immovable property equivalent to the bail sum.

After the conditions were interpreted to him in Twi, the accused appealed for a reduction, prompting the judge’s humorous response, which drew laughter in the courtroom.

“Do we sell tomatoes here?” His Honour Jephtha Appau said, indicating that bail terms are not subject to bargaining.

The court also asked whether the accused held a valid driver’s licence, to which he answered in the affirmative.

Police prosecutor ASP Albert Asagre informed the court that a psychiatric report from the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital was still pending. The court had earlier ordered the assessment on May 5, 2026.

The case has been adjourned to July 3, 2026, pending the submission of the psychiatric report, which is expected to guide further proceedings.