Agri Local

Somanya: Two Mango Thieves Fined Ghc 4800

A Somanya Magistrate Court has fined two persons accused of stealing mangoes from the farms of the Farm Management Services Limited, FMSL at Akuni near Somanya to a total of Ghc 4, 800 or in default serve fifteen (15) months each in prison.

The accused, Mr. Somey Cyrille aged 23 and Abla Debrah, 39 years were dragged to the court after a complaint was made to the police that they on Tuesday, January 2, 2018 conspired to steal mangoes worth Ghc 1000 from the farms of the FMSL.

Both pleaded guilty to the charges of conspiracy to steal and stealing.

A third suspect in the case, Mr. John Kwetey, a taxi driver whose services were hired by Abla Debrah was however acquitted and discharged.

Presenting the facts of the case in court, Chief Inspector Francis Danyo said the complainant in the case, Mr. Benjamin Tetteh, 37 years, is a security man at the FMSL farms and resides at Akuni Number 2 while Somey Cyrille, aged 23 years is a farmer who doubles as a security man of the same firm.

The other accused persons are, Abla Debrah, a trader from Akpese and John Kwetey, 26 years and hails from Okornya, all suburbs of Somanya.

On the 2nd of January, 2018 at about 10:30pm, complainant had information that the above persons had loaded mango fruits into a taxi cab with registration number, GT 2657-X from the farm and heading towards the Somanya Township with the booty.

Upon reaching the scene, the complaint met the accused persons with the quantities of mango fruits valued at Ghc 1000.00.

The Stolen mangoes packed into sack

Upon interrogation, Abla Debrah and John Kwetey reportedly explained that the said fruits were sold to them by Mr. Somey Cyrille.

According to Chief Inspector Francis Danyo, the accused persons were subsequently arrested and detained for further investigations.

During investigation, Somey Cyrille admitted the offence and told police that he sold the mangos for Ghc 700 to Abla Debrah.

He however pleaded that his actions were to enable him pay his school fees.

Meanwhile, Abla Debrah in her caution statement admitted buying the produce from Somey Cyrille but said she was unaware that the mangoes sold to her were stolen produce.

After investigations however, the two were found guilty of stealing and charged with the offences.

Meanwhile, Madam Henrietta Priscilla Fynn- Farm Manageress of FMSL Farms in an interview with Rite news expressed satisfaction with the court ruling since both culprits were punished.

She regretted that though there have been countless cases of theft on the farms, the culprits always escaped with their booty and expressed optimism that the fines slapped on the accused will serve as a deterrent to other potential thieves.

In another development, Ababio Teye, 18 years-old and unemployed was also fined, Ghc 960.00 or serve 8 months imprisonment by the same court.

The accused was found guilty of stealing mangoes worth Ghc 400.00 from the farm of one Mr. Christopher Odjer, a 52 year-old farmer at Somanya.

He pleaded guilty and was subsequently charged with the offence .

Source: Joyce Bedeley/ritefmonline.org/jbedeley9357@gmail.com

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