Akim Oda (E/R), Dec. 31, GNA - A farmer and a mason are on trial at the Akim Oda Magistrates Court, for allegedly stealing nine bags of cocoa estimated at GH¢1,800.00, belonging to the Produce Buying Company (PBC). Kojo Ayensu, the farmer pleaded guilty and was fined GH¢300.00 or in default spend 18 months in prison. Jacob Kwasi Atta, the mason, however, denied knowledge of the offence and was remanded in police custody to reappear on January 5, 2011. Two accomplices, Yaw Duodu and Kwame Franko are at large. Briefing the court, Detective Police Inspector Kingsley Antwi told the court presided over by Mr Albert Owusu Annor that the complainant, a driver of an articulator truck was engaged by the Akim Oda Depot of the PBC to car= t 600 bags of graded and sealed dried cocoa beans to the Tema Harbour. Inspector Antwi said when the truck reached Akim Asuboa, it developed an engine fault, which compelled the driver to park. He said at about 0100 hours on, December 12, the driver woke up and detected that thieves had cut part of a tarpaulin covering the cocoa and stolen nine bags.

The Prosecutor said the driver conducted his personal investigation an= d made an announcement about the theft. He said Ayensu was arrested for selling seven bags of the stolen beans for GH¢350.00, while Atta was also apprehended at the Asuboa lorry park while trying to escape. Inspector Annor said Duodu and Franko gave out the stolen beans to Ayensu to sell on their behalf. "Eight out of the nine stolen bags of the beans were retrieved from the accused persons," Inspector Antwi said.