Fugitive cat thief fined for stealing mobile phones

A twenty-seven-year-old fisherman from Bonyere who stole a cat and bolted to Cote d’ Ivoire last year has been fined GH¢360 by the Half Assini District Magistrate’s Court for stealing two mobile phones and other items.

Oguman Isiaka pleaded guilty and would go to prison for six months if he fails to pay the fine.

The court, presided over by Mr Hans Kpogo, ordered the accused person to pay GH¢200 to the complainant, Mr Issa Adams to defray some of the expenses he incurred during the arrest of Isiaka.

Police Detective Chief Inspector Paul Anaman, prosecuting, told the court that on March 17, Mr Adams went to his farm at Bokakokole, near Bonyere.

He said while working, he left his bag containing a Nokia and Motorola mobile phones under a tree on the farm.

The prosecution said when he returned the bag could not been found under the tree and decided to return home.

The prosecution said on the way, he met a friend, whose name was not mentioned in the court, who told him that he met the convict with a bag which fit the description of that of the complainant.

He said when Mr Adams reached home he reported the matter to the Bonyere Police who started looking for Isiaka.

Chief Inspector Anaman said the Police at Bonyere, together with the complainant, travelled to the Jewi Wharf border near Half Assini and saw Isiaka in a boat ready to leave for Cote d’ Ivoire.

The prosecution said with the assistance of the security officers at the border, he was arrested and arraigned at the court.

The prosecution said after his arrest, the two mobile phones were found in his bag.

The court ordered that the phones be given back to the owner.

Earlier, the court had fined him GH¢300 for stealing a cat valued at GH¢10.00 at Bonyere sometime last year, but he went into hiding in Cote d’ Ivoire.**