Thursday sentenced two farmers to a total fine of 10 million cedis for
poisoning River Bisi at Pepewase village in Sunyani Municipality.The
convicts, Kwaku Besia and Kwadwo Danaa, both pleaded guilty to the
charge of poisoning and were sentenced to a fine of five million cedis
each or in default two years imprisonment.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Martin Defeamaphor told the
court, presided by Mr. Owusu Gyamfi that on March 18, this year the
two persons together with four others, now at large, all residents of
Nyanprase village in Wenchi district embarked on a fishing expedition
in the river.He said the convicts poured a chemical called Rwreko 2.5
EC into the river, which is the only source of drinking water for the
people in the community, with the intention of killing the fishes.The
prosecutor said some residents in the village arrested Biesia but the
others escaped into the bush.ASP Defeamaphor said Biesia was handed
over to the police.Danaa was identified and arrested when he later
visited Biesia at the police cell in Sunyani.In another development
the court sentenced Issifu Wedirago, a mason, to two years
imprisonment in hard labour for stealing 275 meter insulated cables
valued at more than four million cedis belonging to the Volta River
Authority.
Issifu pleaded guilty to the charge of stealing and was sentenced
accordingly.
Prosecuting, ASP Defeamaphor said on March 1 this year, members
of the Zongo watch dog committee on their usual rounds at dawn met
Issifu carrying the cables.
The committee members challenged him and in attempt to arrest him
he abandoned the cables and took to his heels but they arrested him
and sent him to the police station.
23 March 07
