Mankranso (Ash), Sept. 17, GNA - The Mankranso Magistrate Court has granted a 32 year-old farmer bail in the sum of 10 million cedis for stealing eight fingers of plantain valued at 6,000 cedis. Thomas Poakwa alias Lapatee pleaded guilty to the charge and will re-appear on September 27, 2005.

Police Inspector Edwin Dei-Offei told the court, presided over by Mr Frank Owusu-Afriyie, that on August 5, this year, Madam Madina Mohammed, the complainant went to her farm at Pokukrom to get some mushrooms.

When she got to the farm, she saw the accused cut a bunch of plantain, the court heard.

Inspector Dei-Offei said the complainant raised an alarm and the accused abandoned the plantain and bolted. He later sent emissaries to plead with the complainant for an amicable settlement of the case at home.

The complainant, however, turned down the plea for amicable settlement and reported the case to the Police.