Chief steals timber trees

Nana Akuamoah Boateng II, chief of Nconaboma Akroso, in the Kwahu North District, on Wednesday appeared before the Mpraeso Circuit Court for stealing 120 timber trees valued at GH¢10,165.50, belonging to the Ghana Government and harvesting timber without timber utilization contract.

Nana Boateng pleaded guilty to the charge and was granted GH¢10,000 bail with one surety to appear on June 19 for trial.

A timber contractor, Abdul Raman Issaka, who was jointly charged with the chief failed to attend court and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest.

The prosecutor, Detective Police Inspector Christian Apronti, told the Court presided over by Mr. Kweku Osei, that on May 5, officials of the Forestry Commission (FC) at Donkorkrom reported to the police that some illegal wood dealers were selling rosewood trees on a parcel of land at Nconaboma where a High Court had placed an interim injunction on.

He said the police with the officials of the FC proceeded to the area and saw a quantity of rosewood trees parked at the river bank about to be transported by boat to Kpando in the Volta Region for sale.

The prosecutor said the team also saw another 120 rosewood logs, which had been sold to Issaka at the cost GH¢3,000.

He said Nana Boateng and Issaka were arrested and after investigation charged with the offence, but Issaka said it was the chief who sold the timber trees to him.

The chief however denied selling the trees to Issaka.

Inspector Apronti said the two men were granted police enquiry bail to appear before the court for trial but Issaka jumped bail.**