Kumasi, Nov. 19, GNA - A Kumasi circuit court last Wednesday granted 50 million cedis bail each to two persons who allegedly felled timber from the concession of Franko Timber Company Limited illegally. Augustine Owusu, director and Akwasi Owusu, bush manager of a wood processing company, pleaded not guilty to the charge and will re-appear on December 9.

Police Chief Inspector Appiah Kubi told the court, presided over by Mr Ernest Yao Obimpeh that in August this year, some workers of Franko Timber Company detected that 15 trees of different species had been felled from its concession at Mankran forest.

He said in the course of investigation, Akwasi Owusu confessed that he felled the trees for Augustine Owusu. Following this confession, the prosecution said, Mr Thomas Takyi, the manager of the Company reported the case to the police, which led to the arrest of the accused persons. Chief Inspector Appiah Kubi said after thorough investigations, they were charged with the offence.