Two remanded for felling trees in forest reserve

Kumasi, March 3, GNA- The Kumasi Circuit Court, has granted 30 million cedis bail each, with two sureties to be justified, to two persons who illegally fell teak trees in the Anumso Forest Reserve of the Kumawu Forest District.

Nana Osisiadan, 55, Timber Contractor and Samuel Oteng-Mensah, 42, Mechanical Engineer, pleaded not guilty and would reappear on March 18. Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Regina Kesewa told the court presided over by Mr Ernest Yao Obimpeh, that late last year, Nana Osisiadan was given permit by the Forestry Commission to evacuate people illegally felling teak trees at the reserve.

He said Nana Osisiadan also asked Oteng-Mensah to carry out the contract on his behalf.

Chief Inspector Kesewa said the three labourers engaged rather cut down 42 teak trees worth 18.1 million cedis. She said acting upon a tip-off the Police arrested the labourers who implicated the two accused persons