Ex-Chief Of Abuakwa Convicted

AFTER a trial lasting almost eight years, the ex-chief of Abuakwa, in Kumasi, Nana Awua Kroko, has been sentenced to a fine of GH¢2,700 by a circuit court here for demolishing a building and selling the plot on which the structure was standing.

The court ordered that GH¢2,000 of the fine be paid as compensation to the complainant in the case. If he defaults, he will be jailed seven years in hard labour.

Nana Kroko pleaded not guilty to the charge of unlawful damage to property when he first appeared before the court, presided over by Justice V.C. Senu, in August 2000 and he was granted GH¢1,000 bail with one surety to be justified.

But after over seven years of trial the court now presided over by Wilhelmina Hammond, found him guilty and convicted him last Wednesday.

Chief Inspector Achibald Kwasi Fondoh, prosecuting, told the court that in 1980, the sister of the complainant, Elizabeth Baffour Awuah, acquired two plots of land at Abuakwa from Opanin Kofi Kyekyere, Abusuapanyin of Abrafohene stool land.

The sister left for Europe after putting up a building on one of the plots.

Later in August 2000, Elizabeth went to the site and realised that the structure her sister put up had been demolished and in its place was a four-bed room house while another structure had been erected on the other plot.

She investigated and found out that it was Nana Kroko who did the demolition and resold both plots to different developers.