Akyem Swedru, Aug. 05 GNA-An Akyem Swedru Circuit Court on Friday convicted Yaw Ankoma, a-23-year-old labourer to a fine of 2.5 million cedis for stealing 3.5 million cedis. Ankoma, who was convicted on his own plea would go to jail for 12 months in hard labour in default of payment.

Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Ben Osei Kwadwo told the court presided over by Mr Edward Kwame Bosompem Apenkwah that the complainant is the Akyem Oda District Officer of Olam Cocoa Company Limited, while the convict is a labourer of the same company. He said, on July 3, at about 0011 hours, the complainant gave his office keys to Ankoma to tidy up the place but he took advantage of the situation and stole 3.5 million cedis from the safe. The prosecution said after the act, Ankoma confided in one of his co-workers and later went into hiding. He said the confidant also informed the complainant about the theft and when he checked the money in the safe, he found out that it was short by 3.5 million cedis.

Ankoma was later traced to Gomoa Odumasi in the Central Region where he was arrested and handed over to the police.