Crime & Punishment of Wednesday, 19 October 2005

Source: GNA

Illegal timber operator granted 20 million cedi bail

Obuasi, Oct. 19, GNA - A circuit court at Obuasi on Thursday granted Nana Tabi, 30, a 20 million cedi bail for illegally felling timber in a forest reserve.

He pleaded not guilty and will re-appear on October 27.

Two of his accomplices are on the run.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Akom of the Obuasi Divisional Police, told the court presided over by Mr E K Asante that at about 2030 hours on September 18, this year, the Adansi South District Forestry Office had a tip-off that some people were felling lumber illegally in the 'Dasubimadwene' Forest Reserve.

He said with the help of the New Edubiase police, personnel of the Forest Services Division moved to the area and succeeded in arresting Nana Tabi while two of the culprits managed to escape. DSP Akom said the police and the forestry team impounded a tractor, which had been loaded with five logs.

He said the New Edubiase Police was still looking for two others who were on the run.