The Odumase Krobo Circuit Court in the Eastern region has sentenced one Issifu Nyandi, to seven (7) years imprisonment for attempting to smuggle bags of cocoa beans to neighbouring Togo.
Issifu Nyandi, was arrested on Wednesday, April 24 by the Anti-Cocoa Smuggling Taskforce, while on board a Ho bound Ford Transit Bus with registration number GG-2749-21, with the intention of transporting the beans to Togo.
On Friday, April 26, the court heard that the Anti-Cocoa Smuggling Taskforce, upon a tip-off, intercepted the said bus around 5pm and upon thorough search, six bags of cocoa beans, concealed in poly sacks were subsequently retrieved.
Upon interrogation, the accused, Issifu, claimed ownership of the beans.
According to the prosecution, the accused bought the cocoa beans from Koforidua, in the Eastern Region, and transported them to Tudu, in Accra, with the purpose of carting them to the Republic of Togo to sell.
However, upon a tip-off, the Taskforce swiftly arrested him whilst on board the bus and subsequently handed him over to the Akosombo Police on the same day.
Upon further investigations, Issifu was arraigned before the Odumase Krobo Circuit and charged with offences of purchase of cocoa without authority contrary to Section 4 of Ghana Cocoa Board Act, 1984 (PNDCL81), attempting to smuggle cocoa beans contrary to Sec 317 (i) of the Criminal and Other Offences Act 1960(Act 29) and attempting to export cocoa beans which have not been inspected, graded and sealed by an Inspector of Cocoa, contrary to Sec 3 of Cocoa Industry Regulations Act, 1968(NLCD278).
According to the Laws of Ghana, the penalty under Section 4 of PNDCL 81 is a custodial sentence of between five and ten years, without an option of a fine.
The court presided over by His Honour, Judge Kwesi Apiatse Abaiddu. then convicted the accused after he pleaded guilty to the offences.
Issifu Nyandi, becomes the third person convicted by the same court in less than a week.
