Agona Bobikuma, C/R, June 12, GNA - The Bobikuma police have arrested Kobina Essuman, a timber contractor from Assin Fosu for illegal logging in the Bobikuma-Ajumako-Ochiso stool Lands without the consent of the traditional rulers of the town.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mr Christopher Quaicoe, Bobikuma District Commander, who disclosed this to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) said Essuman was arrested upon a tip-off. ASP Quaicoe said when the Police went into the forest they found out that Essuman had felled some trees and he was arrested and charged with the offence.

According to District Police Commander Essuman mentioned Mr John Elletey, Central Regional Manager of the Forestry Service as the one who gave him a permit to cut five trees but felled 58. ASP Quaicoe stated that Mr Ebenezer Saasah, Assistant Forestry Officer at Winneba and the Regional Manager were invited to give their statements to the Police for the suspect to be prepared for court they failed to comply.

He said while waiting for the two Forestry officers the Police had another tip-off that the logs were being conveyed from the scene. The Police Officer said the Chief of Upper Bobikuma, Nana Yaw Buabeng XI, and his elders where invited to the scene where they met Mr Saasah supervising the evacuation, adding that, he told them that Mr Elletey had sold the logs to the Birim Wood Complex Company at Akim Oda, in the Eastern Region.

He said the suspect would soon be arraigned before the Agona Swedru Circuit Court.

Meanwhile, Nana Buabeng has appealed to the Ministry of Lands and Forestry and the Lands Commission to investigate the granting of timber concessions especially for operation in the Bobikuma-Ajumako-Ochiso stool lands.

He stated that it was unfortunate that Forestry Officers were condoning and conniving with illegal timber contractors to deprive the state, chiefs and the Commission of royalties and revenue.