A 22-year-old farmer from Kayera, near Offinso in the Ashanti Region, who decided to sell two of his colleagues to be able to celebrate the Yuletide in grand style, had his hopes dashed when he was arrested in the course of the transaction at Sefwi Bekwai.

The farmer, Ibrahim Abdulai, a Mamprusi, who initially negotiated to sell one person for ?10 million later changed his mind and lured two people, also Mamprusis to Sefwi Bekwai, so that he could sell them for ?20 million.

Luck however, eluded Abdulai, as the one who agreed to buy the people alerted the police who arrested him to assist in their investigations.Abdulai was remanded into police custody by the Bibiani Community Tribunal when he appeared before them.His plea was not taken.

His victims, Abdul Fatawu Jnr and Abdul Fatawu Snr, who are also Mamprusis, aged 17 and 18 years respectively have been released to join their parents.

The Bibiani-Anwiaso-Bekwai Police Commander, Mr. A.M. Sumaila who briefed The Mirror about the incident said Abdulai came to Bekwai in October this year for galamsey operations and managed to convince one Charles Amoah, a resident that he could arrange to sell one person to him.

According to Mr. Sumaila, Amoah feigned interest in the transaction and after a lengthy negotiation, agreed to pay ?10 million for the deal.He said Abdulai who left Sefwi Bekwai after the negotiation, suddenly showed up on October 26, followed by two teenagers, and introduced them to Charles Amoah as Abdul Fatawu Jnr and Abdul Fatawu Snr.

He said at Kayera, Abdulai managed to convince the two that he had acquired a large galamsey concession at Sefwi Bekwai and needed a helping hand to mine it.He said Abdulai assured the boys of good financial returns, should they agree to accompany him to Sefwi Bekwai to operate the galamsey business.

He said not suspecting any foul deal, the victims readily joined Abdulai to Sefwi Bekwai to start the galamsey business.Mr. Sumaila said when they reached Bekwai, Abdulai told Amoah that the boys he had brought were those he negotiated to sell.

Mr. Sumaila said instead of one person, Abdulai said he had decided to bring two because he felt Amoah would be in the position to pay for the two to enable him get sufficient money for his transactions.He said when Amoah saw that Abdulai was keen on selling the boys, he asked him to wait to enable him arrange for money to pay for the two.

He said Amoah quickly informed the police about the deal and a team of policemen were dispatched to investigate. He said in the course of the transaction the police arrested Abdulai to assist in their investigations. Mr. Amoah said the victims have since been released to join their parents