Driver fined for conveying timber

Breman Asikuma, July 6, GNA - The Breman Asikuma magistrate court, presided over by Mr Akwasi Asiedu, has sentenced a 30-year-old driver, Alhassan Ibrahim, to a fine of three million cedis or 18 months imprisonment in default for conveying forest products without authority. The Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa District Assembly Timber Task Force at a road barrier between Breman Asikuma and Breman Baako arrested Alhassan, a native of Kpandae, resident at Ajumako Bisease on June 21, 2004.

He pleaded guilty.


Detective Chief Inspector David Nkrumah Danso told the court that a truck driven by Alhassan from the direction of Breman Baako was stopped for inspection at the barrier.


Sensing danger the driver abandoned the truck loaded with 130 pieces of wawa and odanta chainsaw lumber.

Mr Danso said on June 28, 2004 the driver reported himself to the Police and he was arrested and granted bail in the sum of five million cedis to appear before the court on July 2, 2004.


The Magistrate ordered the confiscation of the lumber for sale and the release of the impounded vehicle to the owner while the driver pay 1.2 million cedis fine and 1.8 million cedis to the District Assembly as compensation.


An amount of 300,000 cedis from the compensation is to be given to members of the task force as an incentive.