A Nigerian national, Augustine Okechuku Maazi, appeared before the Accra Circuit Court 8 in Ghana on Monday, August 17, facing charges related to an alleged plot to rob three banks in the Labone area of Accra. The court appearance follows his arrest on Thursday, August 13, after Ghanaian police reportedly foiled the suspected robbery operation.
According to the Ghana Police Service, officers received intelligence at approximately 10:45 a.m. on August 13 indicating that a gang was preparing to attack GCB Bank, Ecobank, and Zenith Bank, all located in the Labone area. Police deployed to the scene spotted suspected gang members in vehicles parked near the banks.
Police Account of the Operation
The police reported that one vehicle sped off after its occupants noticed the officers, leading to a chase during which Maazi was arrested, while another occupant escaped. Occupants of a second vehicle also attempted to flee while firing at the officers, resulting in a shootout in which two suspects were killed.
Two vehicles were recovered from the suspects: a Toyota Highlander with registration number GS-1434-18 and a Hyundai Tucson with registration number GS 7915-17, along with a blow pistol. The police statement did not specify the exact charges filed against Maazi or the court's ruling on bail.
GCB Bank Denies Any Attack
However, GCB Bank subsequently denied that its Labone branch had been attacked or that any attempted robbery had occurred on its premises. The bank said no robbery or attempted robbery took place at the branch, adding that the facility was never breached and that no customer, staff member, funds, or property was attacked.
The conflicting accounts have raised questions about the precise nature of the incident and whether the suspects were actually preparing to rob the banks as alleged by the police. Further questions emerged after checks showed that the Toyota Highlander identified by the police had previously been listed by Ghanaian authorities as having been impounded in 2019, raising questions about the vehicle's history and the police account.
Diplomatic Intervention and Next Steps
The controversy has also prompted the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana to intervene. The President of All Nigerian Communities in Ghana was sent to Ghana Police Headquarters to seek clarification over Maazi's arrest and the deaths of the two other suspects.
The court proceedings are expected to continue as investigations unfold, with the Nigerian High Commission monitoring the case to ensure due process for the detained Nigerian national.
