In a recent development at the Koforidua Circuit Court B, four military personnel, an Immigration Officer, and a private security guard have been remanded into police custody on charges of armed robbery in Akyem Akanteng, located in the Lower West Akim Municipality of the Eastern Region.

The accused individuals include Sergeant Mensah Dominic (41 years) and Lance Corporal Tetteh Wayo (43 years), both stationed at the Jubilee House, Lance Corporal Nyarko Bernard (28 years) stationed at ABF in Tamale, Private Eric Anim (23 years) stationed at 11 Mechanised Infantry Battalion in Accra (currently on leave), Immigration Officer Richard Okyere (27 years) stationed at the Ministry of Interior, and Kelvin Marfo (28 years), a private security officer at the 5th Hour Mining Company in Akyem Akwatia.

According to a story published on citinewsroom.com, the prosecutor revealed that on November 10, 2023, the immigration officer, Richard Okyere, orchestrated the plan by picking up the two military officers from the Jubilee House, followed by two more military men at Pokuase, and the final suspect at Asamankese, before heading to Akyem Akanteng.

At 3:00 am on November 11, 2023, armed with military rifles and dressed in military uniforms, the suspects invaded the home of the complainant, 55-year-old Ofori Samuel, a Cocoa purchasing clerk.

They demanded GH¢100,000.00, and threatened him with violence. The complainant explained that he had no money but could offer them GH¢10,000.00 in cash, which he could raise by selling a 5-gram gold ore in his possession valued at GH¢29,000. The suspects pushed the complainant inside his room, took the gold, and fled.

The complainant promptly notified the Akwatia Police Commander and an officer at Osenase about the incident. The suspects were intercepted by the police at the Osenase checkpoint, leading to their apprehension.

Upon inspection, two military rifles, four magazines, 62 rounds of live ammunition, and a helmet were recovered from the suspects at the Akwatia Police Station.

During interrogations, the first accused person surrendered the 5 pounds of gold ore, reported as stolen by the complainant, to the District Commander in the presence of other officers. The case docket and the gold were handed over to the RCID, Kibi, for further investigation on the same day.

The Mitsubishi L200 with registration number GS 1116-11, used by the accused persons, has been impounded at the Eastern South Regional Headquarters for further action. The various departments of the accused individuals have been informed of the ongoing investigation.

The suspects, facing charges of conspiracy to commit robbery and robbery, have been remanded until November 28, 2023, as requested by Assistant State Attorney Micdad Iddrisu, allowing the police to continue their investigations.

The court proceedings were presided over by Matilda Ribeiro.