Four young men on Tuesday 2, November 2021 were arrested for allegedly stealing some live chickens from the Mallam market in Accra.

The diligence of the Asafoatse for Lafa- Barima Nmarko and his Asafo group led to the arrest of the thieves who were subsequently handed over to the Odorkor Police Station for further investigations and possible prosecution.

In a video available to this portal, the four young men were seen kneeling down with the stolen fowls in front of the Asafo group while pleading for forgiveness.

It could be recalled that traders at the Mallam market last week expressed some worries about poor sanitation and harassment from persons they believe were land guards.

According to the traders, the situation had been persistent over the years and called on the authorities to come to their aid.

In an interview, the Market Manager, Nathaniel Beeman, said they are experiencing thievery and harassment from land guards.

“We are experiencing thievery in this market and, so, we are appealing to the general public and the authorities to come to our rescue,” he said.

According to him, the land guards operating in the market are allegedly from Weija and its environs and are operating under the command of one Nii Pampanku, who is claiming that the market land belongs to him.

When contacted via phone, the Asafoatse of Weija disclosed that the ownership of the land is a matter being contested at the law court and, therefore, declined to speak to it. 

However, with respect to the accusations of intimidating the market women with land guards, he explained that as the substantive Chief of Lafa - Barima Nmarko and also doubles as the Asafoatse of Weija, he has nothing to do with the alleged harassment of the market women. 

He believed the court case between him and Mr Beeman is still pending but anytime a crime is committed it is laid at his doorstep. He was quick to add that his men and women are responsible persons and not thieves.

According to him, the market manager, Mr Beeman deliberately organised the women to soil his reputation for reasons best known to him. 

He warned that the stool won't sit and look on while his name is dragged in the mud over things he knows nothing about.  

He stressed that he will sue to establish the truth.