An Immigration Officer, four military personnel and a private security guard have been remanded in police custody by the Koforidua Circuit Court.
The said persons were hauled before the court on robbery charges.
The accused persons 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, and Private Eric Anim (23 years) stationed at 11 Mechanised Infantry Battalion in Accra (currently on leave).
The others include 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.
Per the facts of the case, on November 10, 2023, the Immigration Officer, who was in charge of a Mitsubishi L200 with registration number GS – 1116- 11, based on their plan picked up the two military officers at their duty post at the Jubilee House.
The plan further involved picking up two additional military men at Pokuase and the last suspect at Asamankese before heading to Akyem Akanteng.
The following day, at 3:00 am, the suspects, armed with military rifles and dressed in military uniforms, invaded the home of 55-year-old Ofori Samuel, a Cocoa purchasing clerk.
The prosecution said that the suspects demanded GH¢100,000.00 and threatened violence.
The complainant, frightened by the weapons, explained his inability to meet their demands but offered GH¢10,000.00 in cash and a 5-gram gold ore valued at GH¢29,000.
The suspects then took the gold and fled.
The complainant subsequently notified the Akwatia Police Commander and an officer at Osenase, leading to the apprehension of the suspects at the Osenase police checkpoint.
Searches conducted upon their arrest revealed two military rifles, four magazines, 62 rounds of live ammunition, and a helmet.
Further interrogations by the District Commander led to the recovery of the 5 pounds of gold ore reported as stolen by the complainant.
The Mitsubishi L200 used by the accused has been impounded at the Eastern South Regional Headquarters for further action.
Also, the respective departments of the accused have been informed of ongoing investigations.
The case has been adjourned to November 28, 2023, to allow the police to continue their investigations.
