Circuit Court Judge justifies his decision to jail turkey thief for 10 years

A Circuit Court Judge at Duayaw Nkwanta in the Tano North District of the Brong Ahafo Region, His Lordship Alexander Graham, has justified his decision to sentence 33-year Kofi Asante to ten years in prison for stealing two turkeys valued at GH¢400.

The judge who was complaining about media attacks following the jail term imposed on the accused on Thursday, said he is not perturbed about the attacks because it is the discretion per the constitution of the country to give sentences according to circumstances surrounding each case and not about public sentiments.

Background

It would be recalled that the judge handed over a 10-year jail term with hard labour to the accused who pleaded guilty for stealing when he appeared before him generating public uproar.

According to the facts of the case as presented by the persecutor, Chief Inspector Samson Oduro, the accused and the convict are both residents of Techimantia a community in the area.

On September 20, 2017 the complainant detected two of his turkeys were missing and therefore decided to search for them.

During the search, he spotted the feathers of the birds and decided to trace which led him into the kitchen of the accused, where he had slaughtered and was smoking them,

The complainant notified the police via phone and Kofi Asante was arrested and the meat retrieved from him.

During interrogation, he admitted to the offence and was accordingly charged for the offence.