Court orders disclosures in Labone bank robbery case
Maazi, an unemployed Nigerian national, appeared before an Accra Circuit Court on eight counts, including conspiracy to commit robbery, attempted robbery and robbery.
Police prosecutors have been ordered to file disclosures in the case against Augustine Okechuku Maazi, who is accused of involvement in an alleged robbery operation targeting bank customers in Accra.
Maazi, an unemployed Nigerian national, appeared before an Accra Circuit Court on eight counts, including conspiracy to commit robbery, attempted robbery and robbery.
He pleaded not guilty.
The court remanded him into custody and adjourned the case to September 16, 2026.
The prosecution opposed bail, arguing that Maazi had no fixed place of residence in Ghana and had been staying in a hotel.
It also told the court that police were still pursuing other alleged members of the group.
According to the prosecution, the case arose from a wider police investigation into complaints from bank customers in Accra and Tema who were allegedly trailed and robbed after withdrawing money.
The court heard that the suspected syndicate allegedly operated between May and August 13, 2026, around Tema, Spintex and Labone.
Police claim the group monitored bank customers during working hours, followed them after withdrawals and used master keys or force to break into their vehicles.
One of the incidents cited by the prosecution involved a woman who was allegedly robbed of GH¢50,000 at gunpoint at Agbamaame in Tema Community Two after withdrawing money from Republic Bank on May 17.
Another alleged incident occurred on June 11, when a man was attacked after withdrawing money from Republic Bank’s Achimota branch.
The prosecution said surveillance was intensified after complaints reached the Office of the Special Operations Assistant to the Inspector-General of Police.
On August 13, the surveillance team allegedly received information that the group had been sighted at Ecobank, Spintex, and was moving toward Labone and Cantonments.
Police later tracked a Hyundai Tucson and a Toyota Highlander.
Maazi was allegedly in the Toyota Highlander, which was positioned between Zenith Bank and GCB Bank at Labone.
The Hyundai Tucson was intercepted at Fidelity Bank, Labone, where its driver was arrested while other occupants allegedly escaped.
The Toyota Highlander allegedly sped off when the suspects noticed the police, leading to a chase through parts of Labone and Cantonments.
The prosecution said the occupants opened fire during the pursuit.
Two alleged accomplices were shot during an exchange of gunfire and later pronounced dead at the Police Hospital.
The Toyota Highlander also crashed into several vehicles, including two unmarked police vehicles.
A search of the vehicle allegedly led to the recovery of a Blow F90 pistol and two vehicle registration plates, GR 3040-22 and GS 3588-23.
Investigators further allege that the suspects brought vehicles from Nigeria into Ghana, changed the foreign number plates to Ghanaian plates and used them for the alleged robberies.
The prosecution also claimed the group had operated in Togo and Côte d’Ivoire.
Police say investigations are continuing to arrest the remaining suspects.
