Ghana court remands man over plot to rob three banks

A suspect, Okechukwu Augustine, has been remanded by a Circuit Court in Ghana over his alleged involvement in a foiled plot to rob three banks in the Labone area of Accra.

Augustine was remanded on Monday and is expected to reappear before the court on Wednesday.

The suspect was arrested last Thursday after the Ghana Police Service said it foiled a planned attack on branches of GCB Bank, Ecobank and Zenith Bank in Labone.

The Ghana Police Service, in a statement shared on X on Monday, said it received intelligence at about 10.45am on August 13 that a gang was preparing to attack the banks.

It said a police team was immediately deployed to the area, where the suspected robbers were allegedly spotted in two vehicles parked near the banks.

“The Ghana Police Service today arrested one suspect of a robbery syndicate and gunned down two others for planned robbery attempts on some banks in Labone, Accra.

“At about 10:45am today, 13th August, 2026, Police received intelligence that a gang of robbers were preparing to attack the GCB Bank, Ecobank and the Zenith Bank, all at Labone,” the police said.

According to the police, one of the vehicles sped off when its occupants sighted the operatives, prompting a chase.

“Police gave them a chase and arrested suspect Augustine Okechuku Maazi. The other occupant, however, managed to escape,” the statement added.

The police said occupants of the second vehicle also attempted to flee amid gunfire, leading to a shoot-out.

“The Police engaged them in a shoot-out, resulting in the death of two suspects,” it said.

The police added that two vehicles, a Toyota Highlander with registration number GS-1434-18 and a Hyundai Tucson with registration number GS-7915-17, as well as a blow pistol, were recovered.

“Suspect Augustine Okechuku Maazi is in custody assisting the investigation, while the bodies of the deceased suspects have been deposited at the morgue for preservation, identification and autopsy,” the statement said.

However, the police account later came under scrutiny after GCB Bank denied that its Labone branch was the target of a robbery or attempted robbery.

In a statement shared on X shortly after the police announcement, the bank said no robbery incident occurred at its branch or on its premises.

“GCB Bank wishes to clarify that no robbery or attempted robbery took place at our Labone Branch or on the Bank’s premises.

“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 said.

The case is expected to resume on Wednesday as Ghanaian authorities continue their investigation into the alleged robbery plot.