“Ghana Court Remands Nigerian Over Alleged Plot To Rob GCB, Ecobank, Zenith Bank” — Police Say Two Suspects Killed In Shoot-Out

A Nigerian national, Okechukwu Augustine, has been remanded by a Circuit Court in Ghana over his alleged involvement in a foiled robbery plot said to have targeted three banks in Accra.
Augustine was remanded on Monday and is expected to reappear before the court on Wednesday as investigations and legal proceedings continue.
He was arrested last Thursday after the Ghana Police Service said it acted on intelligence concerning an alleged plan to rob GCB Bank, Ecobank and Zenith Bank branches in the Labone area of Accra.
According to the police, intelligence was received at about 10:45 a.m. that a group of suspected robbers was preparing to attack the three banks, prompting the immediate deployment of officers to the area.
The police said its operatives spotted vehicles believed to be connected to the suspects close to the banks shortly after arriving at the location.
According to the police account, occupants of one of the vehicles attempted to flee after sighting the officers.
“The Police gave them a chase and arrested suspect Augustine Okechukwu Maazi. The other occupant, however, escaped. The robbers in the second vehicle also tried to escape amidst firing,” the Ghana Police Service said.
It added that officers engaged occupants of the second vehicle in a gun battle.
“The Police engaged them in a shoot-out, resulting in the death of two suspects,” the statement said.
The police said two vehicles and a weapon were recovered during the operation.
The recovered vehicles were identified as a Toyota Highlander with registration number GS-1434-18 and a Hyundai Tucson with registration number GS 7915-17.
Police also said a blow pistol was recovered.
Augustine was subsequently taken into custody and brought before the Circuit Court, which ordered that he be remanded pending his next appearance.
However, the police account of the alleged robbery plot has drawn scrutiny after GCB Bank denied that any robbery or attempted robbery took place at its Labone branch.
In a statement issued shortly after the police announcement, GCB Bank said its premises had not been breached and that neither customers nor members of staff were affected.
“GCB Bank wishes to clarify that no robbery or attempted robbery took place at our Labone Branch or on the Bank’s premises,” the bank stated.
“At no point was the branch breached, and no customer, member of staff, funds or property of the Bank was affected. The Labone Branch remains secure, and customers can continue to conduct their banking transactions with confidence.”
The bank’s statement, however, does not by itself determine whether police intelligence concerned a planned attack that was allegedly intercepted before the suspects entered the premises.
The Ghana Police Service maintains that its operation was triggered by intelligence about an alleged planned attack on the three financial institutions, while GCB Bank has specifically rejected any suggestion that its Labone branch was actually robbed or breached.
Augustine remains accused and has not been convicted of any offence. The allegations against him are subject to investigation and determination by the Ghanaian courts.
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