Farmer jailed 18 months for stealing ‘akpeteshie’ distilling pipe

A Hohoe Circuit Court has sentenced Olator Moses, an 18-year-old farmer, to 18 months in jail for stealing 'akpeteshie' (local gin) distillation pipes.

He pleaded guilty to the charge and was convicted on his own plea.

Prosecutor Chief Inspector Charles Aziati told the court, presided over by Mr. Michael Johnson Abbey, that the complainant was a farmer who had made a cottage on his farm where he distilled 'akpeteshie' (local gin).

He said that on October 11, 2024, the complainant was at his cottage when the convict followed the farm worker of the complainant's sister to the cottage and then left.

Chief Inspector Aziati said the following day, at about 1700 hours, the complainant went to his cottage and discovered that a thief or thieves had stolen the metal pipe on the tanks, valued at GH₵700, which the complainant used to distil akpeteshie.

He said on October 14, 2024, the convict was arrested in another theft case by some civilians and was taken to Logba Dzorkpe. Upon seeing the convict, the complainant interrogated him about his stolen distilling pipe.

Chief Inspector Aziati said the convict admitted that he stole the pipe, leading to the complainant officially lodging a complaint against the convict, who was in police custody at Hohoe on a different stealing case.

He said the convict was brought from the cells, and his investigation caution statement was taken from him, during which he admitted that he went and stole the complainant's pipe on his tanks and sold it to a scrap dealer at Hohoe Zongo for GH₵230.

Chief Inspector Aziati said the convict claimed he used GH₵90 for transport and spent the remaining GH₵140 on food.

He said the convict led the police to the scrap dealer's shop, but the dealer was not present. The convict then led the police to the scene where he stole the pipe.