Two remanded for stealing 11 bags of cocoa

Breman Asikuma (C/R), May 11, GNA - The Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa District Magistrate Court on Thursday remanded two persons into prison custody for stealing 11 bags of cocoa belonging to Trans Royal Olam Cocoa Purchasing Company in Asikuma. The accused persons, Kwame Insebey, a taxi driver and Kobina Opertey, a farmer, both from Asikuma, pleaded guilty and the court remanded them to re-appear on May 22, 2008. Police Chief Inspector Gershon Awuyeh told the court presided over by Miss Cynthia Hammond that on May 2, 2008 at mid-night, the accused persons and three others now on the run, attacked Mr. Kwesi Dargati, the night watchman of the company. He said the five persons who were wearing musk, gagged Dargati and tied both hands and legs after which they subjected him to severe beatings. Chief Inspector Awuyeh said they later broke into the warehouse and took away 11 bags of cocoa which they sold to Mr. Kweku Abeakutu, a purchasing clerk of another Cocoa Purchasing company in the town. He said the watchman was later rescued by some passers-by the next morning after which he reported the incident to Mr. Bentil, Purchasing Clerk of Trans Royal Olam Company, who then reported the matter to the police. Chief Inspector Awuyeh said when Mr. Abeakutu heard about the theft at Trans Royal Company, he immediately informed Mr. Bentil and Insebey and Opertey were arrested. He said efforts were being made to arrest the other three accomplices.