The Tarkwa District Magistrate Court One has sentenced Prince Awuah, a 26-year-old illegal miner, to 16 months imprisonment with hard labour for unlawful entry and causing damage.  

He pleaded guilty to the charges and was convicted on his plea.  

Prosecuting Police Sergeant Enoch Assan-Donkoh told the court presided over by Mr Charles Owusu Nsiah that the complainant , Solomon Donkor, is a farmer and a resident of Aboso, while Awuah reside at Ndadieso, a suburb of Aboso.  

He said on April 19, 2025, around 2230 hours, the complainant, together with his family and relatives, locked their houses and retired to bed.  

According to him, the next day, around 0200 hours, the complainant’s elder brother, who is a witness in the case, woke up to have prayers and detected smoke in his room.  

Sergeant Assan-Donkoh said the witness went outside and discovered Awuah had lit some clothes on fire and was attempting to spread it to the electricity meter box to burn the entire house.  

He said the witness called out for help, and some residents, including the complainant, came to his aid, and they arrested the convict at the Aboso police station, where an official complaint was made against him.  

Prosecution said the police conducted a search on the accused and found a lighter in his possession.  

During interrogation, Sergeant Assan-Donkoh said the accused admitted the offence, and blamed his actions on the influence of alcohol and Indian hemp.