A case involving stolen tilapia has landed two fishmongers, Lady Ayawah and Faustina Kattah, in trouble with the law after they were convicted of dishonestly receiving part of the stolen consignment.
The Amasaman Circuit Court fined each of them 100 penalty units, equivalent to GH¢1,200, following their guilty pleas.
The stolen fish, valued at GH¢100,000, was allegedly taken from commercial cages on the Densu River at Joma in the Ga Central Municipality by a fisherman identified as Felix Banini, who is currently on the run.
The convicted women, both residents of Ablekuma-Agape Down, admitted to buying the stolen tilapia from Banini, GH¢850 worth to Lady Ayawah and GH¢1,200 worth to Faustina Kattah.
Justice Enid Marful-Sau, sitting as an additional Circuit Court judge, accepted their plea and considered a request for leniency from their counsel before issuing the fines. The court emphasized the seriousness of the offence but chose a financial penalty over custodial sentences.
The complainant, Joseph Alobuia, traced the stolen fish to the two women after discovering the theft on May 25, 2025. Investigations led to their arrest, while the prime suspect, Banini, failed to appear in court despite initially being arrested. A bench warrant has since been issued for his immediate arrest.
