Court sentences culprits in Kumawu stool ornaments theft case

Kumawu (Ash), Dec 23, GNA - The Kumawu circuit court has sentenced two persons connected with the theft of ornaments and an artefact (Abamo) of the Kumawu stool to a total of 11 years imprisonment. Kwame Ansah, 37, and Mohammed Kabilu Adam, 35, both traders, were charged on four counts of causing unlawful damage, unlawful entry, stealing and dishonestly receiving.

They pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Ansah was convicted on three counts of causing unlawful damage, unlawful entry and stealing while Adam was convicted on one count of dishonestly receiving.

The third accused person, Alhaji Ibrahim is said to be at large. Chief Inspector C.K. Abotsi told the court that in the morning of July 7 Madam Akosua Ahenkan and one Otuo who reside at the Kumawuhene's palace saw that the room that housed the treasure of the stool had been broken into.

They found that gold ornaments on four stools, gold ornaments on the back of a calabash and a brass pot decorated with a mother, her twins (Abamo) had been stolen.

Chief Inspector Abotsi said some people including the caretaker of the stool treasure room were arrested following a tip-off.

He said Adam was arrested in Kumasi for buying the brass pot at 20,000 cedis from Ansah who was also arrested.

The court ordered the seizure of furniture, sound system and a refrigerator Ansah bought with his share of the stolen items and be given to the Kumawu Traditional Council to sell to defray part of the loss.

The accused persons the court ordered were to assist the police to recover the brass pot.