Two soldiers, businessman face court over GH¢1 million robbery

Two military officers and a businessman have appeared before an Accra Circuit Court over their alleged involvement in a robbery amounting to more than GH¢1 million at East Legon in Accra.

The accused military officers are Eugene Akurugu, also known as “Bullet,” and Emmanuel Arko, both aircraftmen, together with businessman Justin Yaw Oduro. They have been charged with conspiracy to commit robbery and four counts of robbery.

All three pleaded not guilty to the charges.

According to the prosecution, seven additional accomplices identified as Ariyo Oluwa Femi, Hajia Baby, Aikins, Abotchie, Gatiso, Yaw, and one Mohammed are currently at large.

The court granted the accused bail in the sum of GH¢600,000 each, with three sureties, one of whom must justify the amount with landed property.

They have also been ordered to deposit their passports at the court registry. The case has been adjourned to July 6, 2026.

Counsel for the accused argued for bail, insisting their clients were not flight risks as they reside within the court’s jurisdiction. They further maintained that the prosecution had not presented evidence suggesting the accused intended to abscond or commit further offences. The lawyers also noted that the two military officers had been serving the nation diligently prior to their arrest.

Chief Inspector Wisdom Alorwu, who led the prosecution, opposed bail, describing the accused as flight risks.

He said the alleged offence occurred in December 2025, but the suspects were only arrested in May 2026 through police intelligence operations. He added that efforts were ongoing to arrest the remaining suspects.

The prosecution said the complainant, Gbe Atse Hubert, and a witness, Abdul Majid Inikly Ibrahim, both car dealers, were targeted in the alleged robbery.

In December 2025, Ibrahim reportedly expressed interest in purchasing a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon.

The complainant contacted a friend in Côte d’Ivoire, who referred him to Mohammed (currently at large), who was said to have the vehicle available in Ghana.

The accused allegedly met the complainant at Kalabash Restaurant in Adjiringanor, East Legon, where they displayed the vehicle and agreed on a price of 50 million CFA francs (approximately GH¢1,075,820).

On December 22, 2025, at about 6:00 p.m., the complainant and Ibrahim went to finalize the transaction. Oduro allegedly directed them to an undisclosed location to meet another accomplice.

While en route, they were allegedly ambushed by armed men, including Akurugu and Arko, who were dressed in military camouflage and wielding pistols.

The attackers allegedly seized 50 million CFA francs, along with an additional 2 million CFA francs (about GH¢92,950), as well as mobile phones, including an iPhone XR, Samsung A16, and Oppo Reno 11. The victims were also assaulted when they resisted.

Following a report to the police, investigations led to the arrest of suspect Samuel Kobi in Kumasi on January 11, 2026. He was found in possession of Ibrahim’s stolen iPhone XR. Kobi claimed he received the phone from his sister, Susana Kobi, also known as Suzy.

Susana was subsequently arrested. Although she denied wrongdoing, she indicated that the phone had been given to her by her husband, Justin Yaw Oduro.

Further intelligence operations on May 24, 2026, led to the arrest of Oduro, Akurugu, and Arko. Police allege the three were planning a similar operation involving a prospective buyer of mercury at the time of their arrest.

The complainant and Ibrahim reportedly identified the accused at the police station.

Police say efforts are underway to apprehend the remaining suspects still at large.