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01.12.2005 Crime & Punishment

Farmer remanded for stealing cocoa

01.12.2005 LISTEN
By GNA

Juaso (Ash), Dec. 1, GNA - The Juaso circuit court has remanded a 39-year-old farmer into prison custody for stealing cocoa beans worth 270,000 cedis.

Kwaku Mensah pleaded not guilty to two counts of conspiring to steal and stealing and will re-appear before the court on December 9. A second accused person, Kwadwo Fosu, unemployed, is on the run. Prosecuting, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) A.S. Haruna of the Agogo police told the court, presided over by Mr Jacob B. Boon that the complainant, Mr Richmond Quaye was a purchasing clerk with the Produce Buying Company (PBC) at Amantena near Agogo whilst Mensah and Fosu were both residents of Amantena.

He said in October this year, the complainant purchased a quantity of cocoa beans into a storeroom and hired the accused and Fosu as caretakers.

The prosecution said on October 25, the two stole a quantity of the cocoa beans and sold it to another purchasing clerk. ASP Haruna said on October 28, one ofori Sakyi, also a purchasing clerk made a report to the Agogo police to arrest one Kwabena Poku for stealing his cocoa beans.

He said Mensah was arrested in the course of investigation in connection with the stolen cocoa beans. He said the accused after being arrested, however, identified the cocoa beans as that of the complainant (Richmond Quaye) and not that of Sakyi and mentioned Fosu as his accomplice.

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