Farmer jailed for stealing cocoa

Asamankese (E/R), Aug. 24, GNA - A 33-year-old farmer, Godwin Darko, who stole a cocoa beans valued at 250,000 cedis from a farm, has been sentenced to two years in jail by the Asamankese Circuit Court. He pleaded guilty and was convicted on his own plea. Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector, John Gyimah, said Opanyin Kwame Avornyo, owner of the cocoa beans, visited his farm at Ekoso, near Asamankese, on August 12, this year, to discover that the cocoa beans, which was fermenting had been stolen.

Chief Inspector Gyimah said Mr Avornyo, who suspected Darko, therefore, confronted him on his return home but he denied knowledge about the theft.

He said Opanyin Avornyo, therefore, made a report to the Ewe chief of Ekoso who invited Darko, who later confessed stealing the cocoa. Darko said he took the cocoa to Awaham where he sold it for 250,000 cedis to a cocoa Purchasing Clerk. With the assistance of the town's Unit Committee Members, Darko was arrested and sent to the Osenase Police Station where a formal complaint was lodge.

When the Presiding Judge, Mr Kofi Akrowiah asked Darko why he stole the cocoa, he replied that he did not know what made him steal.