Edward Worwornyo, 60, and his son Senyo Augustus, 30, both herbalists, have been sentenced by the Hohoe Circuit Court for conspiracy to commit a crime, trespass and stealing of teak trees.

The convicts, who appeared before the court, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

They were fully tried, found guilty, convicted and sentenced to four years imprisonment.

They are to pay for the teak trees’ value to the complainant as well as pay a fine of GH¢720 or in default, serve two years in addition.

Prosecuting, Chief Inspector Charles Aziati before the sentencing told the Court presided over by Michael Johnson Abbey that nowadays when a court of competent jurisdiction gives judgment in a civil matter, particularly a land case, the affected parties instead of going on appeal would take the law into their own hands.

He said the affected parties would also use force to trespass on the disputed land, which if the other party also retaliated, might result in conflict, which could end in bloodletting.

Chief Inspector Aziati said the convicts were some of the people hence the court should give them severe punishment to serve as a deterrent to them and others.

He said the complainant was a carpenter while the convicts were a father and son respectively.

Chief Inspector Aziati said the complainant owned a teak and palm plantation at Gbi-Wegbe and on March 24, 2021, he visited the plantation and realised that some of his teak trees had been felled but did not know the person behind the activity.

He said on March 26, 2021, the complainant visited the plantation again and met the convict’s son, who was the second convict and three others sawing the felled teak trees.

Chief Inspector Aziati said the complainant reported the case to the police and the second convict was arrested but during investigations, he stated that he was sent by his father, the first convict.

He said the first convict was also arrested and he claimed ownership of the teak trees by stating that the plantation on which the trees were felled was for him.

Chief Inspector Aziati said the parties were then put before the Divisional Police Commander, who instructed that none of them should convey the felled trees from the site until police were done with their investigations.

He said the first convict defied the instructions given by the police commander and went to convey the felled trees.

Chief Inspector Aziati said the police, however, continued with investigations within which the complainant furnished police with a judgement on the land from Hohoe Circuit Court, which went in his favour as well as a site plan covering the land.

He said the convicts could not furnish the police with any document regarding the land on which the trees were planted even though they were given the chance to do so.