TWO IN COURT OVER STOLEN SUGAR (MIRROR, PAGE 20, OCT 30, 2010)

From Samuel Duodu, Kintampo

TWO residents of Kintampo, who stole five bags of sugar valued at GH¢600 with an inscription of the World Food Programme (WFP) embossed on the sacks are in the firm grip of the law.
Adjei Kwame Vasco, 27, and Peter Kategeh, 26, a driver, both residents of Kintampo, were alleged to have stolen the sugar on board a Bolga bound articulated truck with registration number GT 7658.
Vasco and Kategeh have been charged with conspiracy, causing unlawful damage and stealing, but they have pleaded not guilty to the counts of causing damage and stealing.
They were remanded by the Kintampo Magistrate Court, presided over by Mr. Albert Zoogah, to re-appear in court in the first week of November, 2010.
Vasco, who pleaded not guilty to the counts of causing damage and stealing told the court that he was riding a bicycle from Bababtokuma to Kintampo when he saw the bags of sugar by the roadside and called the driver to come to convey them.
According to the police, stealing of items on board articulated trucks in transit to the northern part of the country and the country’s landlocked neighbours within Kintampo has been on the increase in recent times.
Prosecuting, Inspector Wisdom Ahiakpor told the court that the two are residents of the municipality while the complainant, Mohammed Yakubu is from Accra and in-charge of the articulated truck.
He said Yakubu, who was in transit stopped over at Kintampo to rest and later took off to Babatokuma. On arrival at Babatokuma, he detected that the rope that was used to fasten the tarpaulin was loose and was dragging on the road.
Insp. Ahiakpor said Yakubu stopped and detected that thieves had cut the tarpaulin and had stolen some bags of sugar.
He said Yakubu quickly reported it to the police patrol team stationed at the Surounuan toll booth.
The Prosecutor said that Yakubu with the help of the Police Patrol Team decided to trace the stolen bags of sugar to Kintampo and on their way they came across a taxi cab parked along the road.
Insp. Ahiakpor said the team saw Kategeh sitting behind the steering wheel of the taxi, while Vasco was loading the sugar into the car.
He said the two were arrested and sent to the Kintampo Police Station with the exhibits.
The Prosecutor told the court that a search in the room of Vasco revealed a sack containing maize with the WFP inscription on it.
He said after investigations the two were charged with the offence.