Four military personnel, an Immigration officer, and a private security guard have been remanded into police custody by Koforidua Circuit Court B for their alleged involvement in an armed robbery at Akyem Akanteng in the Lower West Akim Municipality of the Eastern Region.
Among the accused are Sergeant Mensah Dominic and L/Cpl Tetteh Wayo, both stationed at the Jubilee House, L/CPL Nyarko Bernard from ABF at Tamale command Unit, PTE/ Eric Anim from 11 Mechanised Infantry Battalion in Accra (currently on leave).
The remaining are L.C.O/ Richard Okyere, an immigration officer at the Ministry of Interior, and Kelvin Marfo, a private security man at the 5th Hour Mining Company in Akyem Akwatia.
The prosecution revealed that the immigration officer, Richard Okyere, orchestrated the robbery using a Mitsubishi L200 with registration number GS – 1116-11.
On November 10, 2023, he picked up two military officers from the Jubilee House, then proceeded to Pokuase to pick up two others, and finally, the last suspect in Asamankese before heading 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, Ofori Samuel, a 55-year-old cocoa purchasing clerk, demanding GH¢100,000.00 with threats of violence.
Faced with the weapons, the frightened complainant explained his inability to provide the demanded amount but offered 10,000 cash, which could be raised from selling a 5-gram gold ore valued at GH¢29,000 in his possession.
The suspects accepted the offer, pushed the complainant inside, took the gold, and fled. The complainant promptly reported the incident to the Akwatia Police Commander and a police officer at Osenase.
The suspects were apprehended at the Osenase police checkpoint, and upon search, two military rifles, four magazines, 62 rounds of live ammunition, and a helmet were recovered.