Court jails three cable thieves 37 years

Aflao, Nov. 26, GNA - Three members of a suspected criminal gang, involved in the theft of electric cables, being the property of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG ) in the Ketu South District, were jailed a total of 37 years in hard labour by an Aflao Circuit Court.

Frank Atigah, a truck pusher and Horve Agbodzake, both ex-convicts aged 23, received 15 years each, while Kwame Agbosu, 24, a barber was jailed 7 years because he was a first time offender.

They all pleaded not guilty to two counts of conspiracy to steal and stealing, but the prosecution proved them guilty.

The Court presided over by Mr. Francis Obiri, passing sentence last Monday, also ordered that three bicycles acquired by the suspects from proceeds of the stolen cables, be confiscated, sold, and the amount paid to into Government chest.

Mr. Francis Agbogli, a Police Chief Inspector of Agbozume, told the court that Atigah, Agbodzake and Agbosu lived in the same house at Agbozume - Zongo.

He said sometime early last year, there were rampant thefts of street light cables at Agbozume and other parts of the Ketu South District, plunging many areas into darkness.

A tip off later led to the arrest of the three, who in their caution statements admitted the crime, and mentioned one Kojo Atitsogbui as the mastermind behind the crime and also being in charge of the sale of the cables after the rubber coatings have been removed by fire.

The suspects, he said, related that Atitsogbui bought three bicycles from proceeds of the cables to enhance their activities.

GNA