A 25-year-old herdsman has been granted GH¢300,000 bail by the Circuit Court in Accra, for allegedly stealing 51 cows.
Emmanuel Ntim is alleged to have injected the cows with overdose of Dexamethasone, Ivomec and Penstrep drugs before hitting their heads with hammer to kill the animals.
Ntim allegedly sold the dead animals between GH¢800and GH¢c1,200, to customers, all valued at GH¢300,000.
Charged with stealing, fraudulent breach of trust and cruelty to animals, Ntim has pleaded not guilty.
The court, presided over by Mrs Adelaide Abui Kedey, granted GH¢300,000 bail to accused with three sureties two of who are to be justified with property valued at GH¢100,000.
The case has been adjourned to October 17.
Police Chief Inspector Maxwell Ayim said that the complainant is Zulkarnaine Abdul Rahman, a businessman, who also owns a cattle ranch at Tunga- Down, near Dansoman, Accra.
Chief Insp Ayim said Ntim is an employee of the complainant and accused a senior worker at the ranch and the other workers take instructions from him.
Prosecution said on a weekly basis, accused either deliberately on his own or instructed some junior workers to kill cattle either by injecting it with a drug, and using a hammer to hit their heads or by using a rope to tie their neck.
Chief Insp Ayim said accused informed the complainant about the death of the animals.
Prosecution said “the complainant, who is a Muslim and wants nothing to do with dead animals, instructed accused dispose off the animals.”
Chief Insp Ayim said accused, however, sold the dead animals between GH¢800 and GH¢1,200 depending on the size of the animals.
Prosecution said accused sent photographs of the dead animals to the complainant.
Chief Insp Ayim said Ntim threatened the other workers that if they informed the complainant about the issue, he would take them to a shrine and kill them.
Prosecution said despite the threat, a worker informed the complainant about the accused ‘s dealings, leading to the arrest of Ntim. – GNA
