Fulani herdsman sentenced to 18-year imprisonment

Juaso (Ash), Sept 6, GNA - The Juaso circuit court has sentenced a 28-year-old Fulani herdsman to 18 years imprisonment for possessing illegal arms and Indian hemp. Farouk Aliu, who pleaded not guilty to both charges was given 12 years jail sentence for possessing Indian hemp and six years for illegal possession of arms. The sentences are to run concurrently.

Chief Inspector J.K. Damanka told the court, presided over by Mr. Jacob B. Boon that Farouk was a Fulani herdsman resident at Nyamebekyere village near Agogo in the Asante-Akim North district. He said on May 17, this year, while some police personnel were patrolling Nyamebekyere and Bebome, they spotted the accused riding a bicycle with a torchlight at Nyamebekyere.

Chief Inspector Damanka said police on suspicion confronted the accused, who told them that he heard that a group of Fulani herdsmen had been arrested and was therefore on his way to the scene. He said when Farouk was searched, five cartridges were found on him but he denied possessing a gun when he was questioned and so the police took them to his abode where a search was conducted in his room but they did not find a gun.

The prosecution said the police found a polythene bag containing leaves suspected to be Indian hemp lying in his room and that since the accused could not give any tangible reason for both offences, he was arrested and after investigations charged with the offences.