Unemployed convicted for stealing cocoa beans

A twenty-year old motor rider, Eric Cobbina has been sentenced to 16 months imprisonment by the Enchi District Magistrate court for stealing 20 bags and 45 kilograms of dried cocoa beans valued GHC9,842.00.

He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit crime, causing unlawful damage, unlawful entry and stealing.

Cobbina was recently jailed by the same court for committing a similar offence.

Police Detective Sergeant Joseph Kwadwo Agyare, told the court presided over by Mr. Eric Baah Boateng, that the complainant, Abdul Rasheed is a purchasing clerk and a farmer.

He said the complainant together with the convict and his accomplice, Isaac Kwame Annor, 24 year-old unemployed live in the same area at Jema, a suburb of Enchi, in the Aowin Municipality.

Detective Sgt Agyare said on October 25, 2018 at about 0130 hours, Cobbina and Annor, who is at large broke into the complainant's cocoa shed with a metal bar and stole 20 bags and 45 kilograms of dried cocoa beans.

The prosecution said the complainant noticed the theft in the morning and informed the Jema Police accordingly.

He told the court that Cobbina who was already in their custody on a stealing case during investigation indicated that he and Annor stole the 20 bags and 45 kilograms of dried cocoa from the complainant's cocoa shed.

Detective Sgt Agyare said the convict revealed that after the theft they conveyed the beans to Assemkrom, a town near Jema and deposited it with Annor's friend who later sold it on their behalf.