The Twifo Praso magistrate court on Monday imposed a total fine of 3.6 million cedis on two farmers from Twifo Bempong Egya for stealing a gari-processing machine valued at six million cedis.

The two Richard Atali and Kenneth Kuofie who pleaded guilty were fined 1.8 million cedis each and would go to prison for 12 months each in default for stealing the machine belonging to the Bempong Egya branch of the 31st December Women’s Movement.

In the dock with them was Emmanuel Azanu, who pleaded not guilty and was granted 30 million cedis bail to re-appear on March 21, 2007.

Prosecuting, Chief Inspector George Okine told the court presided over by Mr Seth Bio Nyamekye, that on March 4, 2007, Mr Edemo Vondel, organizer of the 31st December Women's Movement detected the theft of the processing machine at Bempong Egya.

He said upon a tip off, the police arrested Richard Atali and during interrogation he led the police to a house where the machine was retrieved and he mentioned Kenneth Kuofie and Emmanuel Azanu as accomplices who were also arrested.

Source: GNA