Kwedwo Arko, a driver has been ordered by a Magistrate Court at Akim Oda in the Birim Central Municipality to pay GH ¢500 for unlawfully conveying 444 pieces of lumber sawn without authorization.
The court presided over by Mr Albert Owusu Annor ordered that the lumber be confiscated to the state.
Arko admitted having transported illegal lumber. He would be jailed for 18 months if he fails to pay the fine.
Briefing the Court, Police Inspector Kingsley Antwi said on April 5th this year at about 1230 hours, Nana Okotwaasuo Oware Agyekum III, the Paramount Chief of Akim Bosome Traditional Area, informed the police that a KIA Rhino truck with registration number WR 2456 V was conveying lumber,
which he suspected to have no permit.
Inspector Antwi said the Paramount Chief directed that the truck was heading from Akim Awisa towards Akim Oda and that the police readily mounted a barrier at Akim Swedru to arrest the driver and the vehicle, but the driver refused to stop upon reaching there.
According to the Prosecutor, Nana Agyekum III, who was following the KIA truck, over-took it and stopped in front of it, which compelled Arko to stop and the Chief ordered him back to the Akim Swedru Police Station, where the barrier was mounted.
Inspector Antwi stated that immediately the driver parked, he managed to abscond, but reported himself to the police the next day.