Fatawu Seidu, 35, a mechanic; Solomon Osei, 40, a barber; and Simon Awindawu, 19, an unemployed youth, pleaded not guilty to the charges and will reappear before the court, presided over by Robert Addo, on May 5, this year.

Police Detective Chief Inspector Ntim Boadu, prosecuting, informed the court that the complainants in the case were police officers.

He explained that on April 8, at about 9:20 a.m., the police received a tip-off that the accused persons were prospecting for gold in the concession of Asanko Gold Mining Company at Tetrem-Aboabo.

Upon arriving at the scene, the police discovered the accused persons in an illegal mining pit.

However, upon noticing the police, the accused attempted to flee, hiding their gold detector machine in the pit. The police were able to arrest them, and in their caution statements, Fatawu and Awindawu admitted to the offense.

Osei, however, denied any involvement, claiming he had only accompanied his friends to observe their work.

After further investigations, the accused were charged and brought before the court.

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Kwasi Sarfo was said to have illegally entered the Palmer International School at North Patase and made away with five pieces of iron rods and a CCTV camera valued at GH¢1,000, at the back of the school building.

He pleaded guilty to the charge and was convicted on his own plea by the court presided by Johnson Abbey.

Police Inspector Jonas Newlove Agyei told the court that the complainant was the Manager of the School.

He said on February 22, this year, the complainant detected the theft of the items and after watching the CCTV cameras installed in the school, Mr Sarfo was identified in the footages taking away the items.

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The prosecution said on February 24, this year, the complainant spotted Mr Sarfo at Kwadaso and with the help of some people, arrested and brought him to the Sofoline Police Station.

Inspector Agyei said during interrogation suspect Sarfo admitted the offence and he was charged and brought before the court.