Three accused persons, all in their twenties and believed to belong to a water meters stealing syndicate, have been jailed.

Razak Mohammed, 24, Ali Zakari, 27, and Suleman Mumuni, 20, were arrested at different locations within the Kumasi metropolis, and after police investigations, charged with the offences of stealing and causing damage to government property.

They were convicted on their own pleas of guilty and given sentences ranging from nine months to one year in hard labour by separate courts.

His Worship Stephen Kumi, presiding over the Akropong District Magistrate's Court, sentenced Mohammed to nine months imprisonment each on all six counts of stealing, which was to run concurrently.

"I find the sentence appropriate enough as the appalling acts of some Ghanaians stealing the water meters of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) across the country is well documented and prevalent," the Magistrate stated.

According to the prosecution, Mohammed was arrested at New Suame in October, last year, by a police patrol team, following series of reported cases of water meter thefts.

"I am hopeful that the sentence would be deterrent enough both to the convict and other criminal elements at and around New Suame," the Magistrate said.

Zakari, who was put before the Asokwa District Court 'Three', presided over by Her Ladyship Rosemary Afia Asante, was sentenced to a year’s imprisonment in hard labour for stealing and causing damage to government property.

He was arrested at Ash-Town, where he was said to have been operating.
Mumuni, who was arrested at Ahinsan Estates, was also sentenced to nine months imprisonment in hard labour when he appeared before the Asokwa District Court 'Two', presided over by His Lordship Owusu Achiaw.

Meanwhile, the Ashanti Regional Office of the GWCL has advised the public to be vigilant and assist the company to curb water meter thefts which is on the ascendancy.

"It is a worrying situation," Mr. Sampson Ampah, Communications Manager of the Company, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA), saying the media ought to also support the authorities by constantly alerting the public to be on the lookout for such miscreants.