The Odumase Krobo Circuit, presided over by Kwesi Apiatse Abaiddu, has imposed a seven-year prison sentence on Issifu Nyandi, who was found guilty for attempting to smuggle bags of cocoa beans from Ghana to neighbouring Togo.
The accused, who was convicted on his own plea, was arrested with the cocoa beans on Wednesday 24 April by the Anti-Cocoa Smuggling Task Force while on board a Ho-bound Ford transit bus with the registration number GG-2749-21, with the intention of transporting them to the Republic of Togo.
According to the facts of the case as told in court, on Friday 26 April the Anti-Cocoa Smuggling Task Force, responding to a tip-off, intercepted the said bus at about 5pm. Upon a thorough search of the bus, six bags of cocoa beans concealed in polythene sacks were retrieved. When interrogated by investigators, the accused, Issifu, claimed ownership of the contraband.
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, following a tip-off, the task force swiftly arrested him while he was on board the bus and handed him over to the Akosombo police on the same day. Further investigations followed.
Issifu was then arraigned before the Odumase Krobo Circuit Court and charged with the offences of purchasing cocoa without authority, contrary to Section 4 of the Ghana Cocoa Board Act 1984 (PNDCL 81), attempting to smuggle cocoa beans, contrary to Section 317(i) of the Criminal and Other Offences Act 1960 (Act29) and attempting to export cocoa beans which have not been inspected, graded and sealed by an inspector of cocoa, contrary to Section 3 of the Cocoa Industry Regulations Act1968 (NLCD 278).
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 the option of a fine.
The accused pleaded guilty to the offences and was convicted on his own plea by the presiding judge to seven years in prison.
According to information, two earlier convictions were recorded by the same court last week, highlighting the increasing incidence of cocoa smuggling in Ghana.
The swift and decisive actions taken by the Anti-Cocoa Smuggling Task Force not only thwarted the convict’s attempts at circumventing the laws of the country, but also showed the vigilance and determination of Ghana Cocoa Board and national security agencies to combat illegal activities which threaten the integrity and survival of Ghana’s cocoa industry.
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