Under the direction of His Honor, Judge Kwesi Apiatse Abaiddu, the Odumase Krobo Circuit has sentenced Issifu Nyandi to seven years in jail over smuggling sacks of cocoa beans into the Ghanaian bordering country of Togo.
A Ho-bound Ford Transit bus with registration number GG-2749-21 had the accused, who was found guilty based only on his own plea, when it was apprehended together with the cocoa beans on Wednesday, April 24th, by the Anti-Cocoa Smuggling Taskforce.
He was going to take them to the Togo Republic.
The Anti-Cocoa Smuggling Taskforce halted the aforementioned bus at around five p.m. after receiving a tip, and after conducting a thorough search, they discovered six bags of cocoa beans hidden in poly sacks. These are the facts of the case that were submitted in court on Friday, April 26.
Issifu, the accused, asserted possession of the contraband during questioning.
More on the ruling
The prosecution explained that the accused bought cocoa beans from Koforidua, Eastern Region, intending to take them to Tudu, Accra, and then sell them in Togo. Acting on a tip-off, the Taskforce apprehended him while he was traveling on a bus and handed him over to the Akosombo Police on the same day.
Following investigations, Issifu faced charges at the Odumase Krobo Circuit for purchasing cocoa without authorization, attempting to smuggle cocoa beans, and trying to export uninspected, ungraded, and unsealed cocoa beans. These offenses carry penalties of five to ten years in prison without the option of a fine under Ghanaian law.
Issifu admitted guilt and was sentenced to seven years in prison by the Presiding Judge. Recent court records indicate an increase in cocoa smuggling cases. The swift actions of the Anti-Cocoa Smuggling Task Force prevented the convict from evading the law, highlighting the determination of the Ghana Cocoa Board and security agencies to combat illegal activities threatening the cocoa industry’s integrity and survival.
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