Sailors granted bail for stealing bags of rice.

Takoradi, Aug 15, GNA - Five sailors who allegedly stole five bags of rice were on Monday granted 20 million cedis bail each for conspiracy and stealing.

They pleaded not guilty and would re-appear before the Takoradi District Magistrate Court on October 10.

They are Godfred Kawar, 26, Godfred Doe, 30, Dan Ashietey, 29, Moses Mensah, 32 and Michael Doste, 32. They are all sailors on a fishing vessel.

Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Grace Appiagyei said on June 17 Mr Patrick W. Danso, a security officer of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, had a tip off that the accused persons had stolen five bags of rice and hidden it in their boat that was under repairs at the dry-dock.

He conducted a search on the boat and found the bags of rice. The prosecutor said when they were confronted, they admitted that the rice belonged to them but claimed that they bought it from some boys whom they could not identify.