By Charles Tawiah, GNA
Nkawie (Ash), March 04, GNA – A 40-year-old farmer has been fined GHS 120,000.00 by the Nkawie Circuit Court in the Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipality of the Ashanti region, for engaging in illegal mining at Manso Moseaso.
Akwasi Acheampong pleaded not guilty but was convicted after full trial.
He will serve a 15-year jail-term in default of the fine.
The facts of the case as presented by ASP Mr Frank Acheampong to the court presided over by Mr Robert Addo, was that the complainant Mr Yaw Amponsah, a teacher and the convict resided at Moseaso in the Amansie West District.
He said, on July 07, 2023, the complainant went to his farm at Mmora, near Moseaso and met the convict with a Liugong excavator machine and a washing plant, mining illegally.
He said when the complainant approached and questioned the convict about the reason for mining on his farmland and the convict mentioned Mr Paul Akuoko Asare, his family head, as the one who authorised him to mine on the land, since it was their family land.
A report was made to the Essuowin police, and the two were arrested.
In their caution statements the convict admitted the offence, but the family’s head denied and after further investigations they were charged and brought before the court.
The family head again, pleaded not guilty to the charge of abetment of crime before the court and was acquitted and discharged after trial.
GNA
Edited by Kwabia Owusu-Mensah/ Christabel Addo