Peace FM Listener Pays Fine To Discharge Jailed 19-Year Old Barber

Solomon Akotey, 19-year old barber, jailed last Thursday has been released after a kind intervention by a cherised listener of Peace FM.

At the court, the prosecutor to the case, Chief inspector Keelson Solomon Richmond stated that, police men on duty at the Nkurakan Police checkpoint on their routine inspection found a sack loaded with tubers of plantain in the boot of a Toyota van with registration number WR 844-14.

The Police questioned the passengers about the owner of the sack containing the plantain and Solomon Akotey claimed ownership of the items and further admitted stealing it from a farm around an area called Dorse and Airport, all suburbs of Nkurakan near Koforidua.

Mr. Akotey was sentenced to two months in prison for stealing six tubers of plantain by a Koforidua District Magistrate Court.

The court presided by His Lorship Osei Asibey found Solomon Akotey guilty of theft after he admitted the act giving reasons his challenges with fending for his family and his sick baby pressured him to steal the tubers. 

The convict and his Sister and other relatives who were present at the court cried uncontrollably as they could not  afford to pay a fine of 600 GHC by the court.

Mr. Akotey was discharged from the Koforidua Prisons after the fine was remitted by Madam Nancy Adjei, an ardent Peace FM listener. 

She heard the report which was filed by Peace FM's Correspondent Michael Akrofi, Thursday evening News and offered to pay up the fine for the 19-year old barber to be released.

The family were shocked and there was tears of joy after spending some days in the prison.

Uncle to Solomon, Alex Seth Nartey on behalf of the family expressed deepest gratitude to Peace Fm and its management as well as to the benevolent Nancy Adjei.

Meanwhile, some philanthropist including some guests on the News File on Joy TV have also contributed some amount which has been donated to the  Solomon's sister to assist them. 

Solomon's Uncle described him as an orphan who "lost both parents when he was a child. At age 4 and 7, so he’s been taken care by his uncle together with with his other siblings.  Due to peer influence, Solomon ended up  impregnanting a 16-year old girl who is also orphan which they have a baby. And to raise money for the up-keeping ended him up in stealing and was arrested and was sent to court.  There's absolutely poverty in the family. That’s why they weren’t able to raise the 600 GHC at the court".

The Uncle further promised to ensure Solomon doesn't repeat such act again.

Solomon Akotey also appealed to philanthropists to help him get a barber's shop to cater for his family.