GH₵400k unauthorised police withdrawal linked to gold robbery

The Ghana Police Service has provided details of its investigation into an alleged unauthorised withdrawal of GH₵400,000.00 from a mobile money (momo) account belonging to Derrick Okyere Dapaah by some police officers.

This follows an earlier directive by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Christian Tetteh Yohuno, to the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) to investigate the allegations.

Account holder speaks on alleged GH¢400,000 withdrawal involving police

According to the police, in a shocking development, the funds in question were found to be tied to a criminal case.

In a statement on March 29, 2026, the police disclosed that its investigations established that the said amount of money forms part of proceeds from a gold robbery and fraud incident, which is also being investigated currently.

“Following a directive by the Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) commenced investigation into allegations concerning the purported unauthorised withdrawal of GH₵400,000.00 from a momo account belonging to Derrick Okyere Dapaah (“Pablo”), a momo merchant in Kumasi.

“The investigation has so far established that the GH₵400,000.00 in question forms part of proceeds from a gold robbery and fraud incident currently under investigation,” parts of the statement said.

The police further recounted that the case dates back to December 8, 2025, when a complainant, Francis Ayaaba from Ejisu, reported being defrauded under the guise of a gold transaction.

“On 8th December 2025, Police received a complaint from one Francis Ayaaba of Ejisu, that he was lured to a house at Ntoaso near Nsawam, under the pretext of a gold transaction,” it stated.

Narrating the incident, the police added that the victim made substantial payments before being attacked.

“He indicated to Police that he had paid GH₵500,000.00 in cash and also transferred GH₵400,000.00 via mobile money as payment for a quantity of gold he had purchased. However, immediately after making the payment, some armed men showed up at the location and robbed him of the gold,” the statement said.

Investigations led the police to trace the GH₵400,000 mobile money transfer to accounts linked to Derrick Okyere Dapaah.

Explaining the movement of the funds, the police claimed that Derrick Okyere made a transfer of the money between two mobile money accounts, both belonging to him.

They added that the money was eventually withdrawn under suspicious circumstances.

“Police immediately commenced investigations into the case and traced the GH₵400,000.00 payment to mobile money accounts linked to the complainant, Derrick Okyere Dapaah (Pablo). The investigation also established that Derrick Okyere (Pablo) further moved the funds between two other mobile money accounts belonging to him.

“The GH₵400,000.00 was later withdrawn by one Abudu Dauda, with a Ghana Card bearing the name Isagali Promise. According to him, he did the withdrawal on behalf of one Alhaji Ibrahim,” it narrated.

The police noted that they secured court orders to freeze the accounts and retrieve the funds as part of evidence.

Subsequent operations led to multiple arrests in connection with the case including a goldsmith and the owner of the shop where the gold transaction occurred.

“Police applied to the court and secured court orders for the mobile numbers involved to be frozen, the GH₵400,000.00 transaction to be reversed and for the amount to be withdrawn and held by Police as exhibits pending the outcome of the case.

“Further investigations led to the arrest of suspects Abudu Dauda, Prince Ofori and William Nene Sakitey Osabotey, a goldsmith and owner of the premises where the gold transaction took place,” the police detailed.

Following the discovery, the police revealed that they arrested Derrick Okyere and charged him with abetment of crime, and all four arrested persons were granted bail after a court appearance.

“As part of the investigation, Derrick Okyere Dapaah (Pablo) was also arrested and charged with abetment of crime. All four accused persons, namely William Nene Sakitey Osabotey, Abudu Dauda, Prince Ofori, and Derrick Okyere Dapaah were put before the court and have been granted bail to reappear on 29th April 2026.

“Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining suspects, identified as Alex and Alhaji Ibrahim, who are currently at large,” the police concluded.

Background

It would be recalled that the IGP directed the PPSB to investigate allegations that some police officers at Kibi had unlawfully withdrew GH¢400,000 from a Mobile Money agent’s account.

The directive followed a viral video of Derrick, in which he claimed officers were involved in the unauthorised withdrawal.

Derrick recounted that a customer had withdrawn money from his outlet, after which his working SIM card was blocked.

His attempt to restore the SIM led him to the police station, where he was accused of involvement in a gold robbery linked to GH¢400,000.

He and his brother were arrested and detained on suspicion of receiving the money illegally.

Later, the customer who withdrew the money was arrested and Derrick and his brother were released.

However, without prior notice, he said the police allegedly withdrew GH¢400,000 from his SIM card, claiming it was based on a court order.

IGP orders investigation into alleged GH¢400K MoMo withdrawal by officers

Feeling unfairly treated, Derrick brought the matter to public attention.

In a series of posts on the official X page of the Ghana Police Service on Thursday, March 5, 2026, the police confirmed that the IGP had ordered a formal investigation.



MAG/VPO

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