Two young men have been jailed for 14 years each by the Assin Fosu District court, for stealing
The two are 21-year-old, Price Bugyei, palm wine tapper and 21-year-old Gabriel Arhin who is a carpenter.
According to police prosecutor, Inspector Francis Oyinah, the two who are residents of Assin Dawomako, stole the cocoa beans in question from a farmer, Kwadwo Asante, who lives in the same community with the suspects.
The cocoa is said to have been dried and backed into sacks meant to be sold the next day.
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The suspects who were monitoring the turn of events in the vicinity broke into the storeroom and took away
The accused persons, gave the cocoa to Emmanuel Arhin, a senior brother of the first accused, Gabriel Arhin, to be sold on their behalf.
The farmer, Kwadwo Asante, reported the incident to the police, which eventually led to the arrest of the suspects.
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The Assin Fosu District court presided over by his worship Gyane Quotey, sentenced Gabriel Arhin and Prince Bugyei into 14 years imprison.
They were charged with two counts – conspiracy to commit crime and stealing.
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The third accomplice, Emmanuel Arhin, who sold the cocoa on behalf of the two suspects was also charged with dishonestly receiving and was fined Ghc600.
Two sets of laws exist in Ghana: one for the poor,the other for the looters of the country’s resources. It’s a shame.
What kind of justice system operating in Ghana? I think most of the judges and magistrates in Ghana need to refresh their legal knowledge and skills in terms of sentencing.Is there a sentencing guide which is operational and fits for purpose in the criminal justice system in Ghana? What factors were considered before reaching such a draconian and a disproportionate verdict? Of course custodial sentence serves as a deterent, which is one of the cardinal elements of sentencing. However, the sentencing should be proportionate to the offence committed. Fourteen years custodial sentence for a half bag of cocoa is outrageous and disproportionate to the highest degree.