Crime & Punishment of Tuesday, 10 May 2005

Source: GNA

Farmer fined for poaching in Kakum forest reserve

Cape Coast May 10, GNA- Drama unfolded at a circuit court at Cape Coast on Tuesday, when a farmer who had been fined 600,000 cedis for poaching in the Kakum Forest Reserve, went on his knees and pleading in tears for the court to deal leniently with him.

Cephas Adjei, who pleaded guilty to entering the reserve without permission would be jailed for six months in default. He was also bonded to be of good behaviour for one year or in default serve an additional six months imprisonment.

Police Chief Inspector Ruben Dzogbeti, told the court presided over by Mr Mustapha Logoh, that personnel of the Game and Wildlife Department were patrolling the forest reserve on May 5, this year, when they met Adjei with a hunting lamp light inspecting traps he had set.

They therefore arrested him and during investigations, he mentioned one Ibrahim as his accomplice, whom he said was at a nearby camp roasting their booty.

Chief Inspector Dzogbeti said when the personnel of the department got to the camp, Ibrahim was not around, although 20 carcasses of 20 bush rats were discovered.