Chief remanded on alleged timber theft

Goaso (B/A), July 12, GNA - The Goaso circuit court presided by Mr Osei Kwame Gyamfi, on Monday remanded Nana Kofi Adade, Akwamuhene of Fawohoyeden in Asunafo North Municipality, for his alleged involvement in illegal timber logging at Ahenkro.

Presenting the facts of the case, the Goaso District Police Crime Officer, Inspector Francis Azamboe said the complainant, is the owner of Nana Tutu and Sons Timber Limited, a timber firm at Mim. He said the complainant owned a timber concession at Ahenkro which shared boundary demarcation with Ayum Forest Reserve. Inspector Azamboe said on June 13 this year, the complainant sent his workers to Ahenkro to convey beams alleged to have been illegally sawn by the accused and his accomplice to Mim. He said when the workers reached Ahenkro they spotted the accused who had organized some people now at large to convey the beams, adding that on seeing the workers, the accused fired a warning shot and threatened to shoot anyone who got close to him. The workers returned and informed the complainant and a report was made to the police, the prosecutor said.

Inspector Azamboe said during a search at the scene at Ahenkro, three mahogany, two ultre and three big oframo trees were found sawn into beams and some had already been carried away. During a further search in the concession, the accused and his accomplice were found at their hide-out in a cocoa farm, but they fled upon seeing the police except the accused who was arrested, he said. Inspector Azamboe said during interrogation he admitted the offence and led the police to a nearby bush where they had hidden 199 beams.