Koforidua Circuit Court B has ordered the remand into police custody of four military men, an immigration officer, and a private security man for their alleged involvement in an armed robbery in Akyem Akanteng, Lower West Akim Municipality of the Eastern Region.

The accused individuals include Sergeant Mensah Dominic (41 years), L/Cpl Tetteh Wayo (43 years), both stationed at the Jubilee House; L/CPL Nyarko Bernard (28 years), stationed at ABF at Tamale Command Unit; PTE/Eric Anim (23 years), stationed at 11 mechanised Infantry Battalion in Accra (currently on leave); L.C.O./Richard Okyere (27 years), an immigration officer stationed at the Ministry of Interior; and Kelvin Marfo (28 years), a private security man at the 5th Hour Mining Company in Akyem Akwatia.

According to the prosecution, the immigration officer, Richard Okyere, driving a Mitsubishi L200 with registration number GS-1116-11, picked up the two military officers at the Jubilee House before picking up the other two military men at Pokuase and the last suspect at Asamankese.

They then headed to Akyem Akanteng.

At 3:00 am on November 11, 2023, armed with military rifles and in military uniforms, the suspects invaded the home of the complainant, 55-year-old Ofori Samuel, a Cocoa purchasing clerk at Akyem Akanteng.

They demanded GH¢100,000.00 and threatened the complainant with death.

The complainant, frightened, explained he had no money but could offer them GH¢10,000 in cash, which could be raised after selling a 5-gram gold ore in his possession, valued at GH¢29,000. The suspects then pushed the complainant inside his room, took the gold, and drove off.

The complainant immediately informed the Akwatia Police Commander and a police officer at Osenase about the robbery.

The suspects were apprehended by the police at the Osenase police checkpoint.

Upon arrest, two military rifles with serial numbers A0082460 and A0056937, four magazines, 62 rounds of live ammunition, and a helmet were recovered from the suspects at the Akwatia Police Station.

During interrogations, the first accused person handed over the 5 pounds of gold ore, which the complainant reported had been robbed from him.

The docket was taken over by the Regional Criminal Investigations Department (RCID), Kibi, along with the exhibit of 5 pounds of gold, for further investigations.

The Mitsubishi L200 used by the accused persons has been impounded at the forecourt of the Eastern South Regional Headquarters.

The suspects, charged with two counts—conspiracy to commit crime (robbery) and robbery—have been remanded to reappear on November 28th, 2023, following a request by the prosecution for more time to continue investigations.