The Nsuta Circuit Court in the Sekyere Central District of the Ashanti Region has remanded a 30-year-old herdsman, Musah Yakubu, into police custody over the alleged theft of 65 cattle.
Yakubu, who is said to be a resident of Atebubu in the Bono East Region, was ordered to remain in custody on Tuesday, May 13, 2026, by the presiding judge, His Lordship Simon Nketiah Gagah.
Three other suspects — identified as Ali, Awudu, and Haruna — are currently on the run and being pursued by police in connection with the case.
According to the prosecution, Chief Inspector Owusu Kobi Moses, the complainant, is a 42-year-old cattle farmer based at Asuoso along the Offinso–Akomadan highway. He reportedly owns three kraals, each housing 65 cattle, and employs herdsmen to manage the livestock.
The court heard that Haruna, one of the suspects, was previously employed by the complainant and worked alongside two other herdsmen, Manu and Gado, at a cattle ranch in Nkwankwaa. Ali is also said to be a former employee, while Awudu is believed to be a friend of Haruna.
Prosecutors explained that on May 8, 2026, Haruna left with a herd of cattle for grazing at about 6:00 a.m. but failed to return at the expected time of 5:00 p.m.
The following day, the complainant was informed by Manu, one of his herdsmen and a key witness, that Haruna had still not returned with the animals. This prompted a search in the Nkwankwaa bush, but the cattle could not be traced at the time.
Later, the complainant received a tip-off from an informant, Alhassan, that Musah Yakubu and others were moving the cattle toward Apenten, a community near Sekyedumase.
Acting on the information, the complainant and some community members tracked footprints into a nearby bush, where they allegedly found the cattle grazing while the suspects rested nearby. One of the suspects was reportedly seen carrying a single-barrelled gun.
Fearing for his safety, the complainant reported the matter to the Sekyedumase Police Station. Officers later accompanied him to the scene, where Musah Yakubu was arrested, although the other suspects managed to escape.
Police were able to recover 60 of the stolen cattle, while five remain missing. The missing animals include three bulls valued at GHC14,000 each and two cows valued at GHC13,000 each, bringing the estimated loss to about GHC68,000.
Photographs and video footage of the recovered cattle have been taken as evidence, and the animals have since been returned to the complainant.
The prosecution told the court that investigations are ongoing to arrest the remaining suspects and complete the case file.
Because investigations are still underway, Yakubu’s plea was not taken. He has been remanded into police custody to assist with further inquiries.
The case has been adjourned to June 3, 2026, when the accused is expected to reappear for his plea to be taken.