Teenage Miner Jailed 10 Years For Stealing

The Tarkwa Circuit Court has handed down a 10-year prison sentence with hard labour to 18-year-old Mohammed Razak, a small-scale miner, for stealing mining equipment valued at GH¢11,990.

This is the second time Razak has been convicted of a similar offence by the same court.

Razak pleaded guilty to the charge of stealing.

Presenting the facts of the case, the prosecutor, Chief Inspector Abraham Ayitey told the court, that the complainant is a small-scale miner and a resident of Wassa Japa in the Wassa Amenfi East constituency.

According to the prosecutor, the complainant, Thomas Tetteh, had dismantled his mining equipment due to a water shortage and stored the equipment at his site.

However, when he returned the next day, he discovered that his ‘Changfang’ diesel engine valued at GH¢8,000, a pumping machine valued at GH¢1,700, and a crusher valued at GH¢3,700 had been stolen.

Tetteh’s enquiries led to Razak’s arrest, and he was handed over to the police.

During the investigation, Razak claimed to have sold the equipment to a scrap dealer at Wassa Adiembra, but the police were unable to retrieve the stolen items.

The court presided over by Mrs. Hathia Ama Manu, found Razak guilty and sentenced him to 10 years in prison with hard labor. This sentence serves as a warning to others who engage in similar criminal activities.