Cape Coast, Jan. 24, GNA - A Cape Coast Circuit Court has remanded two drivers, Kofi Boateng,32, and Nana Agyemang, 28, into police custody for allegedly stealing four live goats worth GH¢ 700.00 at Jukwa near Cape Coast in the Central Region.Their pleas were not taken and will be re-arraigned on Friday, February 7. Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Charles Hevi, told the court presided over by Mrs. Florence Okai Otu that in the early hours of December 26 last year, Kofi and Nana conspired and stole four live goats and hid them in the Jukwa community cemetery.Chief Inspector Hevi said a hunter who was returning from a hunting expedition spotted the animals and alerted an elder at the palace who in turn informed the police which led to the arrest of the two persons.GNA

Cape Coast Jan.24, GNA - A total of 31 candidates in the Central Region have filed their nominations to contest for 10 Regional Executive positions in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) regional elections slated for Saturday January 25.In all, 415 delegates from the 23 constituencies in the region would converge at the Swedru Town Hall to participate in the regional delegates conference of the Party.Mr Kwamina Duncan the Regional Secretary who is seeking re-election, made this known to the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Cape Coast on Thursday.He said all was set for the smooth take-of of the conference on Saturday, adding that the party has officially informed the Central Regional Police Command about the event to enable them provide the party with the necessary security during the ceremony.He said all the voting materials are also ready and that the Electoral Commission has also been invited to conduct the election.Mr Duncan said two people are contesting for the position of the Chairman, while three each are contesting for both the first and second vice chairmanship positions..He said two other people are contesting him for the position of the regional secretary, with three going for the deputy secretary position.For the position of the Regional Organizer, he said four people are vying for the position with two going for the treasurer.Mr Duncan said five women are going for the women’s Organizer with four contesting for Youth Organizer and two for the Nasara Club.He advised the delegates to exhibit a high sense of maturity and commitment to ensure peace during and after the conference so as not to mar the good name of the party.The Regional Secretary also urged them to refrain from maligning; assassination of people’s character as well as spreading falsehood which could harm people or result in disunity among members.GNA

Takoradi, Jan.24, GNA — All is set for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) executive elections on Saturday in the Western Region, to elect regional officers to steer the affairs of the party for the next four years.About 500 delegates from 26 constituencies in the region are expected to vote for their preferred candidates, which would be conducted by the Electoral Commission (EC), and supervised by the Regional Election Committee.The Takoradi Polytechnic Auditorium has been chosen as the venue for the much-awaited elections which had generated a lot of excitement in the region.The Western Regional Election Committee Chairman, Mr. Francis Arthur, told the Ghana News Agency in Takoradi that the ballot papers would be sent to the regional EC directly from Accra.He said the Election Committee has made arrangements with the Regional Police Command to provide security during the elections.The positions being contested for included chairman, first vice chairman, second vice chairman, secretary and assistant secretary. Other positions are: organizer, treasurer, youth organizer, women organizer and Nasara Club representative.The incumbent Regional Chairman, Nana Owusu Ankomah who had served eight years in office, is facing stiff competition from Mr. Kendicks Dickson Attah-Nketia, a businessman and Joseph Edward Payne.The first vice-chairman position is being contested by three persons namely, Mr. Kojo Acquah, Ben Kwaw and Frank Eti.The second vice-chairmanship is contested by Francis Ndede Siah and Alhaji Ridwan Ishaq.Three contestants are vying for the secretary position, and they include Mr. K. k Sam, the incumbent, Charles Bissue and Okatakyie Amankwa Afrifa, while the assistant secretary position is being contested by Asiedu Kukuro, Ken Woode, Ishmael Bravo and Kobina Kwansa and Anthony Yankey.Yaw Amoabeng, Slyvester Baba Yidaana, Kwame Kinto and BOSCO Kofi Narkaah are in the fierce race for the regional organizer position.Three contestants are in a hot chase for the youth organizer's position, namely, Alhaji Aminu Abubakar, Issa Mohammed Rabui and Abdul Ganiyu Mohammed.Madam Janet Edna Nyame, Kwasi Krampah and Kwame Armah are competing for the treasurer position to handle the party’s finances.The women organizer position is being contested for by Madam Abena Kwallah, the incumbent, Mrs. Golly Antwi-Bosiako and Madam Adwoa Nyarko.The regional executive elections would be held simultaneously on January 25, in all the 10 regions across the country.In all, 32 contestants are contesting for 10 vacant regional positions in the region.GNA

Tamale, Jan. 24, GNA – Madam Ayishetu Abudulai, a midwife at the Tamale West Hospital (TWH), has advised pregnant women to continue to engage their partners in sexual intercourse to make their unborn babies healthy and to ensure smooth delivery.She explained that sex in pregnancy was very good because it builds bonds among the couple, and gives them the urge to take full responsibility of the baby during and after pregnancy, adding, “It eases labour and helps in smooth delivery.”Madam Abudulai disclosed this to the Ghana News Agency in Tamale on Thursday on the sidelines of a monitoring visit by a team from Savana Signatures to evaluate a project on technology for maternal health, which sought to use ICT to deepen knowledge on maternal health to pregnant women.The project, which started in March 2013 in four districts and six health facilities in the Northern Region, was to use ICT technology and short messages (sms) through their mobile phones to educate them on adequate information on pregnancy depending on the age of their pregnancy.Madam Abudulai explained that sex was equally a way of exercise for pregnant women, and advised them to engage in sex, remembering that the safest way for sex in pregnancy was through sideways and from behind.She also suggested the need for pregnant women to exercise regularly to ensure that they had safe delivery, and recommended bicycle riding, walking and other domestic chores.Miss Elizabeth Hariba Jakalia, Project Officer for Technology for Maternal Health (TMH), explained that the project had donated some computers with software to the beneficiary hospitals that would be used by nurses and midwives to educate pregnant women.She said localized voice and sms messages were sent to the pregnant women who have been registered in the system noting that 1,735 pregnant women receive periodic information on nutrition, hygiene, antenatal information, dangerous signs and preparations towards delivery.The team visited the Central Hospital also in Tamale where the system was seen operating effectively.GNA

Accra, Jan. 24, GNA – More troubles seem to be brewing on the head of a 27-year-old “self-styled,” pastor, Ernest Abotsi (aka) Salasi Koomson, after the Police preferred three similar charges of kidnapping against him in three separate incidents.The Police have now prepared three different dockets - charge of kidnapping three different minors in three different churches in Accra.When Abotsi mounted the dock to respond to his plea, he started speaking inaudibly, but the court asked him to rather start thinking about the language in which he was going to respond to his plea, instead of the enchantment.He was, however, declined bail and subsequently remanded by the court presided over by Ms Ellen Amoah.The trial judge noted that the court had the duty of protecting society, especially the vulnerable, including children.According to the court, there were series of cases against the accused person, and it was probable that he may commit similar offences if granted bail.Abosti has been remanded to re-appear on February 6.Earlier Mr Augustines Obuor, who represented Abotsi, prayed the court to admit his client to bail, noting that, bail could be granted to Abotsi despite the charges leveled against him.According to Mr Obuor, although Abotsi was hated by some Ghanaians, he has substantial sureties including his parents to sign the bail bond if granted.Prosecuting, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) A. Suleman did not oppose the bail application in the case in which Abotsi has been accused of kidnapping a nine-year-old girl from the Winners Chapel at the North Industrial Area.He is alleged to have taken a ransom of GH¢ 3,000.00.ASP Suleman, however, prayed the court to add a justification to the bail condition, and consider the fact that there were series of cases being reported against the accused person.In another development, Abotsi denied kidnapping a 10-year-old boy at the International Central Gospel Church at Abossey Okai on December 1 last year, and taking a ransom of GH¢ 3,000.00.On December 8 of last year, Abosti was said to have again kidnapped an eight-year-old girl at the Winners Chapel at the North Industrial Area and taken a ransom of GH¢ 3,000.00.The Police has accused Abotsi and Isaac Atei in another case for allegedly kidnapping a nine- year- old victim at Quodesh Light House Chapel at North Kaneshie.GNA

Apremdo (W/R), Jan.24, GNA — The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) on Thursday marked the 69th Anniversary of the Battle of Myohaung at a colourful ceremony at the Myohaung Barracks at Apremdo near Takoradi.The contingents on parade performed drum drills and displayed the beautiful colours of the military, accompanied with brisk march pass.Christian and Muslim prayers were said for the military for God’s protection and guidance in all their operations.The Anniversary of the Battle of Myohaung has been chosen as an annual remembrance day to honour the heroes of the two West African Frontier forces that emerged victorious in the ancient capital of Myohaung of the Arakanese Kings that lies in the valley of the River Kaladan.The 81st and 82nd West African Forces advanced on convergent axis, emerging victorious over the Japanese during the Second World War in 1945.Troops from West Africa, including the Gold Coast now Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and the Gambia, fought for the British Empire.The ceremony brought together all the heads of the various security agencies in the Region.Some of the dignitaries that attended the ceremony were Mr. Ebenezer Kwadwo Teye Addo, Western Regional Minister, Commodore Godson Zorwonu and Flag Officer Commanding the Western Naval Command.The rest were the General Officer Commanding the Southern Command Sampson Kojo Adotsi, Colonel (Rtd) Chris Nutoko, Executive Director of the Veterans Association of Ghana, Lt. Col. George Tawiah Sam, Second Batallion Unit Commander and DCOP Kofi Boakye, Western Regional Police Commander.GNA

Obuasi, January 24, GNA – Management of Golden Pride Savings and Loans Limited has expressed its commitment to improve the logistical needs and health of students in the Obuasi area to enhance educational growth in the Municipality.In this direction, Golden Pride has organized a health screening exercise on Hepatitis ‘B’ in some schools, in addition to donating some writing materials.Mr Peter Fraizer Owusu- Kusi, Senior Manager in charge of Credit and Operations of Golden Pride, said these when the company presented 4,000 copies of branded exercise books to over thousand pupils and students of AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) schools at Obuasi.He said, health seminars had been held for pupils, students and teachers in some schools because “a sound mind in a sound body” is needed to enhance the human resources base of the country.Mr. Owusu – Kusi added that the savings and loans company was born out of labour because it belonged to Ghana Mine Workers Union (GMWU) and that its commitment to establishing good human resource the country needs cannot be compromised.The Credit and Operations Manager indicated that the company had the welfare of children at heart and therefore had developed a product known as “Precious Kidz Account” to inculcate savings habits in them.“Let your parents open such account for you while you deposit the pesewas people give to you into the account”, Mr. Owusu – Kusi stressed.Mr. Owusu Gyambrah, Headmaster of AGA Schools expressed gratitude to the company, adding, “this presentation will further challenge the pupils and students to learn hard”.He noted that the company’s support to improve the academic work in schools in the Municipality was a laudable one.GNA

Cape Coast, Jan.24, GNA -The Cape Coast Metropolitan HIV and AIDS Focal Person, Mrs. Rebecca Antwi-Baffour, has observed that the socio-economic dynamics of the Metropolis require strong commitment from the Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly (CCMA) to combat the HIV and AIDS disease.She said Cape Coast, being a tourists’ destination with its attendant social challenges, demands prudent social interventions to help fight the disease in the area.Mrs. Antwi-Baffour who raised these concerns at a meeting of the Cape Coast Metro HIV and AIDS Committee, appealed to the CCMA to fully support the Committee, and ensure that all its plans and programmes were fully implemented to help achieve the “getting to zero” HIV and AIDS in 2015.The current prevalence rate of the HIV and AIDS in the Metropolis is 2.8 percent, which she described as worrying because it was higher than the Regional and National rates of 1.9 and 1.37 respectively.She said the high rate of teenage pregnancies found particularly in the Kwaprow, Essuekyir, Amissaekyir and Nkanfoa communities was an indication that large number of teenagers in the Metropolis were engaging in unprotected sex with the possibility of contracting the disease.Mrs. Antwi-Baffour, therefore, urged the Committee to work with dispatch this year.She was full of praise for HIV and AIDS community-based and non-governmental organizations, for contributing immensely towards the fight against the pandemic, but expressed dismay that many of the organisations were folding up due to lack of funds from sponsors. The Focal Person stressed the need for all such organizations to be given the needed funds to carry on with their work because the Metro Committee cannot do the work alone.Members of the Committee appealed to the authorities to consider the socio-economic challenges of Oguaa, and tailor policies to meet those challenges on the ground, which include high teenage pregnancy rates, unemployment and HIV and AIDS.It will be recalled that work of the Committee was stalled last year due to lack funds, and members further expressed worry that the situation might get out of hand if the situation continued this year.Among the 2014-work plan drawn by the Committee are educational campaigns, media advocacy, voluntary testing and counseling, mobilization of HIV and AIDS related CBOs and NGOs and Monitoring.GNA

Winneba (C/R), Jan. 24, GNA – The government is to ensure that the three months suspension penalty imposed on defaulting clients of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) is abolished.Mr Elvis K. Payin, former Vice Chairman of the Effutu Municipal Area branch of the Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) who made the appeal in an interview with the Ghana News Agency on Wednesday said this would bring relief to premium holders of the scheme.Mr Payin said the suspension penalty introduced by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) a couple of years ago, was doing more harm than good to premium holders of the policy, and must be reviewed as a matter of urgency to bring some respite to people who have embraced the policy.He said that most clients do not check the expiring dates of their NHIS Identify cards regularly, adding that besides that, millions of illiterate premium holders always fall victim to the default penalty because they do not get people to check their expiring dates of their ID cards for them at the appropriate time except when they report at the various accredited hospitals for medical attention.Mr Payin said since the National Health Insurance Policy was introduced principally to help the poor in society to secure affordable healthcare at a given time, government must always ensure that the system is not entangled with tougher regulations and conditions which would deprive the vulnerable in the society to enjoy the benefits which the policy provides.The former TEWU Chairman has therefore called on the government to impress upon the National Health Insurance Authority to review its stand in the three months suspension penalty punishment, inflicted on clients of the scheme in order to sustain the interest of Ghanaians in the policy.This way, Mr Payin added, “we will be maintaining the gains the policy has chalked so far, and develop it further, because the system is good, but we must find a more acceptable means of enforcing the ID card renewal aspect of it without necessarily subjecting the people to some sort of indirect punishments.He said besides the various branches of the NHIA intensifying their sensitization activities on the ID card renewal, various religious organisations and District, Municipal and Metropolitan Assembly members must also take it upon themselves to educate the people on the importance of the renewal of the NHIA cards.GNA

Accra, Jan. 24, GNA – Enterprise Group Limited (EGL) has presented a cheque for Twenty Thousand Ghana Cedis to the Ghana Navy in support of the phase two Naval Headquarters project at Burma Camp.A statement issued in Accra and initialed by Lieutenant-Commander M. A. Larbi, for the Director of Public Relations and copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Thursday, said Rear Admiral Geoffrey Mawuli Biekro, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) received the cheque on behalf of the Navy, and expressed gratitude for the support.The statement said the Chief of Naval Staff acknowledged the positive response of the company, and the abled manner in which they redeemed their pledge to support the Ghana Navy.Real Admiral Biekro expressed the hope that other corporate entities would assist in the upgrading of the Sekondi and Tema Naval Bases, to enable the Ghana Navy effectively execute its constitutional mandate.Mr George Otoo, Chief Executive Officer of Enterprise Group, presented the cheque, and expressed delight in supporting Ghana Navy to fully execute its mandate of protecting the territorial waters of the country, and also curb maritime crimes in the Gulf of Guinea.GNA

Accra, Jan. 24, GNA – The International Community is to mark this year's World Leprosy Day on January 26 on the theme: "Joining Forces – Accelerating Progress".The theme emphasizes the need to bring all stakeholders together and other International Organizations in the country to join forces in the effort to engage in a ‘war against leprosy’ on the fact that leprosy is wholly curable.The theme also emphasizes the need for government to formulate policies that will disseminate information about leprosy and prompt the public to be aware of their role to fight indifference towards people with leprosy, and to accord them the dignity and respect that they deserve.A statement issued and signed by Eleanor Esi Sey, Health Promotion Communication Specialist; Health Promotion Department of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Thursday said, the day would be marked with many field activities like seminars, radio and TV discussions, distribution of leaflets, pamphlets, booklets on leprosy, and religious activities.The statement said the day helps to tell the story to people who do not know that leprosy still exists, and that it can now be cured. It also helps raise funds so that those with leprosy can be cured and cared for. The statement added that few districts have not yet attained the elimination target, and efforts need to be intensified and that some of the activities to be implemented include improving access to leprosy services by enabling all health facilities in endemic districts to diagnose and treat leprosy.Also some of the activities are ensuring availability of free MDT drugs at all health centres through improved logistics and motivating people to actively seek treatment by creating better community awareness of the early signs and dispelling fear of the disease.The statement said Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, an acid-fast bacterium affecting mainly the skin and nerves, and that it is an air-borne disease, probably transmitted by minute respiratory droplets.It said the disease attacks the skin and nerves and can lead to irreparable nerve damage, impairments and disabilities affecting hands, feet and eyes and has a wide spectrum of signs and symptoms depending on the ability of the host's immune system to resist the infection.The statement said World Health Organization (WHO) official reports received from 115 countries and territories, the global registered prevalence of leprosy at the end of the first quarter of 2013 stood at 189,017 cases, while the number of new cases detected during 2012 was 232,850.It said, at the moment, Ghana is classified in – Group Three by the WHO among countries where elimination strategy should be sustained.The statement said Ghana has attained the WHO target of one case or less per 10,000 of the population and has achieved the global leprosy elimination target of fewer than 1.0 per 10,000 population.As at 31st October, 2013, Ghana had total registered cases as 471 giving a prevalence of 0.19per10, 000 nationally, the statement disclosed, and urged family members and friends to feel free to relate with cured lepers who need to be encouraged to do normal activities to earn a living.GNA

Winneba (C/R) Jan 24, GNA - Nii Ephraim, Effutu Municipal Chief Executive, has urged stakeholders both within and outside the country to cooperate with the Effutu Municipal Assembly in its bid to develop the municipality, in order to make the area the most beautiful, habitable, secured and most convenient investment destination in the Central Region.Nii Ephraim made the call at a stakeholder’s consultation forum on the construction of pavements at the Winneba main lorry station, to give the Municipality a face-lift.The MCE disclosed that funding for the project has been secured from the Urban Development Grant (UDG) of the government of Ghana and the World Bank as a result of prudent management of the resources of, and systems of operations by the Assembly over the last three years.The MCE said the forum was also a fulfillment of the participatory and good governance system as espoused by the government of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to ensure proper planning and execution of projects, which the construction of the pavements in the Municipality was not an exception.Nii Epharaim disclosed that due to the hard work of the employees of the Assembly, it qualified under the (UDF) and the District Development Fund (DDF) for three consecutive times, since 2010, making the Assembly top the Central Region with 98 percent under UDF and 92 percent under the DDF.The MCE said the assembly has started the process of preparing its medium Term Development Plan, under the enhanced Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda for 2014-2017, and added that to ensure participatory preparation, stakeholders in the development of the area are required to make inputs in the plan preparation process to enable the Assembly have a workable plan to help facilitate development.Mr Alex Afenyo-Markin, Member of Parliament for the area, urged his constituents to let the development of the Municipality be their utmost priority, and hoped with a united front, they can develop the area.GNA

Accra, Jan. 24, GNA – Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Trade and Industry, on Thursday reiterated government’s commitment to increase the nation’s electricity generation capacity from the current 2,800 megawatts to 5,000 megawatts by the end of 2016.He said there are as many as 500 rural communities across the county in the Western, Central, Upper East, Upper West, Northern, Brong-Ahafo and the Volta Regions that are still desirous of getting connected to the national electricity grid.Mr Iddrisu made these disclosures during a meeting with a Japanese trade delegation which included Marubeni Corporation, and assured Ghana's industrial players that the government will continue to ensure adequate and sustainable supply of utilities, particularly water and electricity.The Trade Minister appealed to Marubeni Corporation to secure concessionary funding from Japan for the extension of rural electrification under the self-help rural electrification initiative.“We would be happy to work with you to extend electricity in order to give meaning to President Mahama’s declaration of energy for all by the year 2016,” he said.He also explained that it is the expectation of President John Dramani Mahama that more rural communities in Ghana are connected to the national electricity grid.He pointed out that Ghana remains an oasis of peace, stable social and political order, and has put in place legal and regulatory regimes to protect any investments.Mr Iddrisu assured Marubeni Corporation of the security of its investments, and appealed to the corporation to assist in building an energy plant to be dedicated to industries in the Tema area and Western Region since they have interest in the energy and power sector.He said Northern Ghana remains the most viable place for commercial farming and agriculture in Ghana, adding that, the Brong-Ahafo, Western and Central Regions, are also fertile grounds for commercial agriculture investment.“I am aware of Marubeni’s interest in development of sugar plantation in Northern Ghana in Depale and Kukubla in the Northern Region of Ghana,” he said.He pledged President Mahama's absolute support for the initiative to establish sugar plantation and sugar factory in Northern Ghana.He said government will play its role in facilitating the acquisition of land together with Marubeni in developing accessible road to the site.Mr. Naoto Nikai, Japanese Ambassador in Ghana, who led the delegation, said Marubeni Corporation is one of the largest Trade and Investment Companies in Japan which operates all over the world in energy and other areas.He added that Marubeni Corporation’s powerful delegation to Ghana shows their strong interest in expanding their business relations in Ghana.The Japanese Ambassador was optimistic that there would be fruitful results in expanding the economic business relationship between his country and Ghana.Mr Shigeru Yamazoe, Senior Managing Executive Officer of Marubeni Corporation, said Ghana is currently one of the most important partners of Marubeni Corporation from the sub-Saharan region.Mr Yamazoe pledged the corporation's desire to organise and promote various projects according to the needs of the country, adding that they would create employment and develop the various industries.GNA

Accra, Jan. 24, GNA - Some National Democratic Congress (NDC) polling and constituency executives have accused Mr Joseph Ade-Coker, Greater-Accra Regional Chairman of the party, for abuse of incumbency.They executives who spoke to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview in Accra on Thursday, and pleaded anonymity, alleged that Mr Coker was hiding behind the national executives, to use his incumbency to perpetrate injustice against potential candidates willing to contest him for the chairmanship position.According to the executives, the Regional Chairman was violating the party's constitution for even starting his campaign early after he had personally directed constituency executives not to allow his contenders to visit the constituencies to familiarize themselves with those constituencies.“His oral directive is a smart way of banning potential contenders from visiting the constituencies, as many executives are afraid to allow them to visit their constituencies,” one of them said.“Ade Coker has given us a directive that we should not allow his opponents to visit the constituencies, but he is busily meeting us,” another said. They alleged that last Wednesday, Mr Ade Coker met all organizers of the party at Kuku Hill, to inform them about his intention of contesting again, adding that, he threatened to disqualify them if they allowed his opponents into their constituencies.They further revealed to the GNA that he (Ade Coker) has invited all constituency executives of the party to his house this coming Saturday for a party.“We are therefore appealing to the national executives of the party to explain to us what introduction, familiarization and campaigning in the constituencies really mean,” one of them said.When the GNA spoke to Mr Ade Coker, he denied the allegations, and said he believed they were mere political gimmicks.GNA

Tamale, Jan. 24, GNA – A Tamale High Court presided over by Mr Jerome Noble Nkrumah, on Thursday sentenced Abubakari Iddrisu, 30, to death by hanging.The convict, who pleaded not guilty to a charge of murder, and two counts of causing harm, was convicted by a seven-member jury which unanimously found him guilty of all the three charges.He was to serve additional 50 years for two counts of causing bodily harm.Prosecuting, Mr. Salia Abdul-Qudus, Principal State Attorney, told the court that on 17th March 2010, the convict caused the death of Mustapa Jelil, a pupil, and caused harm to Mohammed Mustapha and Mustapha Aliu, all children of his brother.He said at about 04:00 hours, Iddrisu slashed the throat of the deceased, and caused deep wounds to his two other siblings when they were sleeping on their compound at Lamashegu, a suburb of Tamale and accused the children of pilfering his money he earned from bakery.He said the cry of the children suddenly woke their mother up and upon witnessing the bizarre scene raised an alarm.The prosecution said the convict became afraid for his life, and bolted into a nearby forest, but he was later arrested by the community members and handed over to the Police.Counsel for the convict, Arif Abdala argued that his client was not the offender of the act.When given the chance to say his last words, the convict, who had neither a wife nor children, pleaded with the court to have mercy on him, since he wanted to further his education.GNA