The Amasaman Circuit Court has fined two fishmongers, Lady Ayawah and Faustina Kattah, 100 penalty units each, equivalent to GH¢1,200, for dishonestly receiving stolen tilapia valued at GH¢100,000.
The two women pleaded guilty and were convicted on their own plea. Their respective lawyers pleaded for mitigation before the court handed down the fines.
The court was presided over by Justice Enid Marful-Sau, a High Court Judge with additional responsibilities at the Circuit Court.
Felix Banini, a fisherman alleged to have stolen the fish, is currently on the run, and a bench warrant has been issued for his arrest.
Presenting the case, Police Chief Inspector Frederick Awuah-Ansah told the court that the complainant, Mr. Joseph Alobuia, is a commercial tilapia farmer with fish cages located on a section of the Densu River at Joma in the Ga Central Municipality.
Banini, along with Ayawah and Kattah, are residents of Ablekuma-Agape Down and are known in the area as fishermen and fishmongers.
According to Chief Inspector Awuah-Ansah, on May 25, 2025, at around 1:00 a.m., Banini took his canoe to the Densu River at Joma and stole a quantity of fish from Mr. Alobuia’s cages.
The next day, Mr. Alobuia discovered the theft and estimated the value of the stolen tilapia at GH¢100,000. He returned home and began a search for the culprits.
During his search, he identified some of his stolen tilapia in the possession of Lady Ayawah and confronted her.
The prosecution said, “In the process, Lady Ayawah mentioned Banini as the person who sold the fish to her the previous night.”
On June 2, 2025, with the help of other fishermen in Agape Down, Mr. Alobuia apprehended Banini and handed him over to the police.
Banini admitted to the theft in his caution statement, revealing that he sold GH¢850 worth of tilapia to Lady Ayawah and GH¢1,200 worth to Faustina Kattah.
Both Ayawah and Kattah admitted the offence during police investigations and were subsequently charged and arraigned before the court.
Banini, however, failed to appear in court and is currently being sought by the police, the prosecution said.
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