Soldiers, businessman granted bail over alleged GH¢1m East Legon robbery

An alleged luxury car deal at East Legon has ended in court, with two military officers and a businessman accused of taking part in a robbery involving more than GH¢1 million.

The accused persons are aircraftmen Eugene Akurugu, also known as Bullet, and Emmanuel Arko, together with businessman Justin Yaw Oduro.

They appeared before an Accra Circuit Court on charges of conspiracy to commit robbery and four counts of robbery.

All three pleaded not guilty.

The court granted each of them bail in the sum of GH¢600,000, with three sureties to be justified with landed property.

They were also ordered to deposit their passports at the court registry.

The case has been adjourned to July 6, 2026.

Prosecutors say the complainant, Gbe Atse Hubert, and a witness, Abdul Majid Inikly Ibrahim, both car dealers, were allegedly targeted after expressing interest in buying a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon.

The court heard that Mr Ibrahim wanted to purchase the vehicle in December 2025.

The complainant allegedly contacted a friend in Côte d’Ivoire, who linked him to one Mohammed, now at large, as someone who could help secure the vehicle in Ghana.

The prosecution said the complainant later met the accused persons at Kalabash Restaurant at Adjiringanor, East Legon, where the vehicle was shown and a price of 50 million CFA francs, equivalent to about GH¢1,075,820, was agreed.

On December 22, 2025, the complainant and Mr Ibrahim reportedly went to complete the transaction.

According to the prosecution, Oduro directed them to another location to meet an alleged accomplice.

While on their way, they were allegedly ambushed by armed men.

The prosecution says Akurugu and Arko were among the attackers and were dressed in military camouflage while wielding pistols.

The robbers allegedly took the 50 million CFA francs, an additional 2 million CFA francs, mobile phones including an iPhone XR, Samsung A16 and Oppo Reno 11, and assaulted the victims when they resisted.

Police investigations later led to the arrest of one Samuel Kobi in Kumasi on January 11, 2026.

He was allegedly found with Mr Ibrahim’s stolen iPhone XR.

Kobi reportedly told police he received the phone from his sister, Susana Kobi, also known as Suzy.

Susana was arrested and denied wrongdoing, but allegedly told investigators that the phone had been given to her by her husband, Oduro.

Further intelligence-led operations on May 24, 2026, led to the arrest of Oduro, Akurugu and Arko.

Police allege they were planning another similar operation involving a prospective buyer of mercury at the time of their arrest.

The complainant and Mr Ibrahim later identified the accused persons at the police station.

Chief Inspector Wisdom Alorwu opposed bail, describing the accused as flight risks and noting that the alleged offence happened in December 2025, but the arrests were made in May 2026 after intelligence operations.

Defence lawyers disagreed, arguing that their clients live within the court’s jurisdiction and had no reason to abscond.

They also said the two military officers had served the country diligently before their arrest.

Police say seven other suspects, identified as Ariyo Oluwa Femi, Hajia Baby, Aikins, Abotchie, Gatiso, Yaw and Mohammed, are still at large.