Two men identified as self-styled security guards for Awutu Senya East MP Naa Koryor have been sentenced to 20 years in prison each for robbing a miner and his colleagues of gold ore valued at GH¢165,000 in the Ashanti Region.

The convicts, Justice Kpakpo Mingle, alias Nii, 31, a photographer, and Justice Mensah, alias Gaza, 29, a vulcaniser, both residents of Kasoa, were found guilty of conspiracy to commit robbery and robbery by the Bekwai Circuit Court.

A third suspect, Festus Mensah, alias Gucci, an excavator operator who allegedly masterminded the operation, remains at large.

According to the prosecution's account, the robbery occurred on May 22, 2026, at about 8:00 am, when the complainant, George Osei Tutu, a miner based at Adansi Dompoase, was transporting gold ore from a mining site at Denkyei towards Fomena.

Osei Tutu was travelling in a pickup with registration number GW 3813-25, accompanied by Clinton Amankwa and Simon Ofori Amoah, when they reached a section of the Denkyei-Fomena road.

The group was allegedly stopped and attacked at gunpoint by the accused persons, who were dressed in black and brown tactical military or police-style uniforms. The assailants reportedly made away with gold ore valued at GH¢165,000.

Police officers who visited the scene recovered identification documents belonging to the first accused, including his Ghana Card, Voter ID card and driver's licence. Investigators also retrieved a complimentary card bearing the name Nii Akpaloo Concepts and contact numbers.

Acting on intelligence, a team from the Ashanti South Police Intelligence Directorate travelled to Kasoa and surrounding communities on June 9, 2026, to track down the suspects.

The first accused was arrested at Kasoa Nyanyano Monaco on June 10, after which he led investigators to the second accused, who was arrested at Kasoa Akweley Junction.

During investigations, both men reportedly confessed to their involvement in the robbery and identified Festus Mensah, an excavator operator who works with the complainants, as the alleged mastermind who recruited them from Kasoa.

The two convicts also disclosed how they spent their respective shares of the proceeds.

Justice Mensah told police he received GH¢60,000 from the operation and gave GH¢20,000 to his wife, Sakinatu, to deposit into her bank account. He reportedly used the remaining money to settle debts and cover expenses for the funeral rites of his late mother.

Mingle also said he received GH¢60,000 and spent GH¢18,000 on an Apsonic Jungle motorbike, using the remainder to pay house rent and cover other expenses.

The suspects further told investigators that the stolen gold ore was sold to a dealer at Adabraka in Accra for GH¢151,000, which was GH¢14,000 below its stated value.

Further investigations established that the two men presented themselves as security guards for Awutu Senya East MP Naa Koryor. Police said they had been issued black and brown tactical uniforms, which were allegedly used in carrying out the robbery.

The brown tactical uniform, black tactical trousers, boots and the Apsonic Jungle motorbike were retrieved and retained by the police as exhibits.

At the end of the trial, the Bekwai Circuit Court sentenced each convict to 20 years' imprisonment on the conspiracy charge and another 20 years on the robbery charge. The sentences are to run concurrently, meaning each man will serve an effective 20-year prison term.

Police investigations are continuing, with efforts underway to recover the pistol allegedly used in the robbery and arrest the third suspect, Festus Mensah.

EA