Breman Asikuma (C/R), Jan. 4, GNA - The Breman Asikuma Community Tribunal has sentenced two people to a total fine of 160,000 cedis for defecating under a bridge over River Ochi.

The fine is to serve as a deterrent to others to refrain from indiscriminate defecation. Kofi Nketia, 52, a farmer and Kojo Brima, 18, unemployed, were separately arrested by community watchdog committee members at Breman Gyambra, near Breman Asikuma, when they were found defecating under a bridge at the banks of River Ochi.

They both pleaded guilty to the offence and each of them was sentenced to an 80,000-cedi fine. The District Prosecuting Officer for Environmental Health Services for Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa, Mr Prince Arhin, told the tribunal chaired by Mr L.N. Bempong that on December 13, last year, members of the community watchdog were on night patrol duty when at about 9.00 p.m. the accused persons were found under the bridge spanning the river at Gyambra.

When the members approached them they found that the accused persons had fouled the area with faeces and were arrested and sent to the chief's palace. The chief ordered the committee to hand them over to the police for the necessary action to be taken. GNA