Farmer in jail for stealing sack-full of cocoyam

Akim Oda (E/R), May 8, GNA - The Akim Oda Magistrate Court has sentenced Yaw Attah, a farmer to a 24-month prison term with hard labour for stealing sack-full of cocoyam valued GH¢25.

He pleaded guilty to stealing.

The prosecutor, Chief Inspector Adelaide Appiakorang told the court presided over by Mr Albert Owusu Annor that the complainant, Mr Kwabena Amoako, a farmer and Attah also a farmer live at Akim Akroso.

Chief Inspector Appiakorang said about two weeks ago, Mr Amoako detected theft of cassava and cocoyam from his farm and so he decided to visit the farm on Sunday, May 1, this year.

He said while on a motorbike to the farm, he met Attah at the outskirt of Akroso carrying a fertilizer sack full of cocoyam heading towards the town.

The prosecutor said Mr Amoako then returned, by-passed Attah and parked the motorbike elsewhere and watched Attah entered a nearby house where he kept the booty.

She said when Attah was about to leave the house without the load, Mr Amoako then confronted him at the entrance of the house, and when he was not convinced with the answers, he arrested and escorted him to the police station.

Chief Inspector Appiakorang said during interrogation Attah told the Akroso Police that the load of cocoyam was from his farm and when asked to lead the police to his farm, he could not see the path that led to his farm.

According to the prosecutor, when Mr Amoako led the police to his farm it was found out that a large portion of cocoyam had been uprooted.

It was at the farm that Attah confirmed that he harvested the cocoyam at night with torchlight and without cutlass.