Court orders police to file disclosures in Labone robbery case

An Accra Circuit Court has mandated the Police to submit disclosures in the case of Augustine Okechuku Maazi, accused of attempted robbery in Labone. The Nigerian national faces eight counts of conspiracy to commit crimes such as robbery and attempted robbery. Maazi pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody, with the next court appearance set for September 16, 2026.

Prosecutors stated that investigations are ongoing to apprehend Maazi's alleged accomplices, who are currently at large. They opposed any consideration of bail, citing Maazi's lack of a fixed residence and his current hotel stay. The case involved two complainants, Emmanuel Kweku Archer, a businessman, and the Ghana Police Service.

Prosecutors claimed that police investigations linked Maazi and five other suspects to a series of robberies between May and August 13, 2026, in Tema, Spintex, and Labone. These alleged robberies extended to neighboring Togo and Côte d’Ivoire. Two of Maazi's alleged accomplices died during a police operation on August 13, 2026, during a robbery attempt at banks in Labone.

The Office of the Special Operations Assistant to the Inspector-General of Police (SOA-IGP) received numerous complaints from bank customers about robberies by suspected armed syndicates. Surveillance teams were deployed to monitor these gang members' activities at various banks in Greater Accra and Tema. The prosecution revealed that police obtained CCTV footage showing suspects traveling in a Toyota Highlander and a Hyundai Tucson, which were linked to the group.

The suspects allegedly monitored bank customers, followed them after withdrawals, and used master keys or force to gain access to their vehicles. On May 17, 2026, the group robbed a woman of GH¢50,000 at gunpoint in Tema Community Two. On June 11, they attacked a man at gunpoint after he withdrew money from a bank branch and was traveling home.

On August 13, 2026, police intercepted the suspects' vehicles, a black Hyundai Tucson and a black Toyota Highlander, and arrested the driver of the Toyota Highlander. The other occupants fled, and a shootout ensued, leading to the deaths of two suspects and the collision of the vehicles. Police recovered vehicle plates and a pistol during the search. Investigations continue to locate and arrest the remaining alleged accomplices who remain at large.