Ho, Oct. 30, GNA - A Circuit Court in Ho on Wednesday sentenced two fish trap weavers to three years' imprisonment each and a fine of 10 million cedis for stealing 57 million cedis belonging to a Tema-based trader.

The suspects, Samuel Ansah and Dickson Kumi, pleaded guilty and would serve additional four years each in jail if they fail to pay the fine.

Chief Inspector Victus Quaye Agadzi told the court presided over by Mr Nicholas M.C Abodakpi that on May 11, this year at about 1830 hours, the complainant, Madam Awo Okudjeto, a trader, loaded a cargo truck with cement and other goods to be discharged at Bosso, in the Eastern Region. He said stuck among the goods was a sealed carton containing 57 million cedis.

Chief Insp Agadzi said when the bus reached Toh-Kpalime, Ansah tried to stop it but it did not stop. He said Ansah jumped to the side of the vehicle, sneaked into the rear carriage without the knowledge of the complaint and the driver who were in the front cowl.

The prosecutor said Ansah made away with the carton containing the amount and gave 27.6 million cedis to Kumi and hid the rest in his father's room.

Chief Insp Agadzi said Madam Okudjeto reported the matter to the police and mentioned Ansah as a suspect.

The prosecutor said the police retrieved 29,027,000 cedis from Ansah who mentioned Kumi as the one with whom he shared the money. The prosecutor told the Court that Kumi admitted the offence but said he received only four million cedis, which he used to buy a taxicab.