Suhum (E/R), Feb. 2, GNA - Five persons who pleaded guilty to the charge of causing environmental offences were fined 450,000 or in-default three months imprisonment with hard labour by a Suhum Magistrate Court Presided over by Mr Charles Banfo Nimako. The accused persons were Benobu, Joe Korli, Moses Ansah, Djangmah Korli and Rejoyce Quashie.

Two other accused persons - Kwasi Tetteh and Victoria Tetteh who pleaded not guilty were granted bail in the sum of one million cedis each to re-appear on February 5, 2004.

According to the Prosecutor, Mr Philip Tawiah, Principal Environmental Officer, on December 17, last year, a Health Inspector, Mr Gershon Hiamadey, on his normal rounds found the accused persons to be living in overgrown surroundings with piles of refuse.

He said in some cases some of the accused persons had also dug pits containing water, which breed mosquitoes.

The Magistrate warned that the court would deal severely with any one brought before it on similar offences.