Mining-site robbery fugitive jailed 25 years
The convict, Dominic Ofori, also known as “Fanta,” was arrested on 16 February 2026 and later admitted the robbery charge in court.
A man who evaded arrest for years after a 2022 armed robbery at a mining site in Manso Akwasiso has been sentenced to 25 years in prison with hard labour by the Bekwai Circuit Court.
The convict, Dominic Ofori, also known as “Fanta,” was arrested on 16 February 2026 and later admitted the robbery charge in court. Prosecutors said he pleaded guilty to an offence under Section 149 of Act 29, prompting the court to impose the custodial sentence.
Police told the court that officers in the Manso Adubia District had received intelligence on 20 March 2022 that armed men from Manso Abodom were planning to raid the site and steal gold concentrate. An ambush was set up, but the suspects still arrived at about 17:30, fired shots and took the gold, according to the prosecution.
Officers on surveillance reportedly engaged the group, triggering a shootout. Three suspects named by police — Abu Abubakar, Musah Latif and Gideon Takyi — were shot and later pronounced dead on arrival at St Martin’s Catholic Hospital in Agroyesum.
Ofori escaped during the confrontation, police said, but was later traced, arrested and brought before the court.
The Ashanti South Regional Police Command said it remains focused on disrupting violent crime linked to mining activity and ensuring offenders are prosecuted.
