Goaso (Brong Ahafo) 22 June, '98

A community tribunal at Goaso in the Brong-Ahafo region at the weekend sentenced a 28 year-old- choirmaster to six months imprisonment in hard labour for stealing eight choir robes.

Kwame Adjei, a mason, pleaded guilty to stealing. Adjei, who was the choirmaster of Nsuta-Bepoase Methodist Church choir in the Ashanti region, stole the robes to enable him to inaugurate his own choir. Passing sentence, Mr Willywise Kyereme, chairman of the tribunal, told Adjei that it was wrong and not Godly for him to use stolen things as sacrifice to God.

Prosecuting, police Chief Inspector Cephas Anto told the tribunal that Adjei visited his parents at Ampenkro in the Asunafo district. He said Adjei joined the Ampenkro Methodist Church choir to rehearse some songs in the evening.

The prosecution said when Adjei left Ampenkro the next day for Nsuta-Bepoase, the choristers realised that someone had broken into their wardrobe and stolen eigth robes, collars and caps. The prosecution said the president of the Ampenkro Methodist Church travelled to Nusta-Bepoase only to learn that Adjei was inaugurating his choir with the stolen robes.

The prosecutor said the church president reported his findings to the local police who seized the robes and arrested Adjei. gri