Juaso (Ash), June 07, GNA - A cocoa farmer at Pekyerekye, near Juanso who used the nearness of his farm to steal cocoa pods from another farm has been remanded into custody by the Juaso circuit court. Kwasi Agyekum pleaded not guilty.

Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector A. Salifu Haruna told the court presided over by Mr Jacob Boon that on December 31, 2003, at 3:30 pm at Gyatan cottage, Pekyerekye, a witness in the case who was passing by the cocoa farm belonging to Mr Kwadwo Krah, saw the accused carrying cocoa pods from that farm.

He said the accused, who had passed through the bush entered the cocoa farm of Mr. Krah, went to where harvested cocoa pods had been heaped on the farm and packed some into his basket.

As soon as the witness saw the accused carried the pods in his basket, she shouted at him, and realising that he had been exposed, threw the pods away and ran with his basket.

Chief Inspector Haruna said, since that day was Friday and people were not allowed to go to farm, she went to town and reported the case to the farm owner, who in turn made a complaint at the Juansa police station, adding, the accused bolted from the town.

He said on April 25, the accused was involved in another case at the police station, and when the complainant heard of it, he went and identified him to the police and was arrested.