Farmer remanded for assault

Tarkwa, (W/R) April 27, GNA-A circuit court at Tarkwa on Tuesday remanded Issah Dartey Hogah, a farmer, into prison custody for assaulting four forestry guards.

He pleaded not guilty and will re-appear on Tuesday May 10. Chief Inspector Alex Asamoah told the court presided over by Mr John Ajet-Nasam that the complainants, Gabriel Teye, Alex Asare, Michael Andoh and Richmond Ambrose Asare were forestry guards stationed at Liman Cottage near Aquah-Allah in Awowin-Suaman District.

The prosecutor said Hogah and other farmers had encroached the Tanor Enuor Forest Reserve by making farms and building cottages and that the accused had cultivated two hectares of cocoa and other crops. Chief Inspector Asamoah said on 24 August last year, the accused organised some youth to help him to beat and chase out the guards, who were on patrol duties in the forest reserve.

He said the guards, who sustained injuries as a result of the incident, reported the matter to the police.

Chief Insp. Asamoah said the accused fiercely resisted arrest when four policemen went to apprehend him and the other culprits but he was overpowered.

Chief Insp Asamoah said when the police searched Hogah's room they found an unlicensed chainsaw machine, which he had used to fell some trees.