Farmer jailed nine months for stealing cocoa beans

Asamankese (E/R), Oct. 22, GNA - A farmer, who stole freshly harvested cocoa beans from another farmer's farm, has been sentenced to nine months imprisonment in hard labour by the Asamankese Circuit Court. Amoah pleaded guilty.

The facts of the case as presented by Chief Inspector Osei Owusu, were that on October 11, the complainant, Samuel Kwabena Efumey left fresh cocoa beans on his farm at Mfranor near Suhum for fermentation and went home.

On the following day at about 0630 hours, he was on his way to the farm when he met Amoah, the accused person, carrying a fertilizer-bag full of what looked like fresh cocoa beans.

When the complainant reached his farm, he discovered that some of the cocoa beans he kept for fermentation had been stolen. Efumey therefore, suspected Amoah and went his neigbours whom he shares borders with and enquired whether Amoah had recently harvested his cocoa but was told that Amoah had had not harvested any cocoa.

As a result, the complainant proceeded to Amoah's house but did not meet him. He however, found three sacks full of fresh cocoa beans by his door.

With the assistance of the Landlord and others, Amoah was traced and questioned. He insisted that he harvested the cocoa from his farm. When he was asked to lead a team to inspect his farm, Amoah refused and as a result, he was arrested and handed over to the Police together with the cocoa beans.

Chief Inspector Osei Owusu said in his caution statement, Amoah admitted the offence and stated that he collected three sacks full of the cocoa from the complainant's farm.