Two military officers and a businessman have appeared before an Accra Circuit Court over their alleged involvement in a robbery operation that reportedly resulted in the theft of more than GH¢1 million from two car dealers in East Legon.
The accused persons are aircraftmen Eugene Akurugu, also known as Bullet, Emmanuel Arko, and 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.
The court granted each accused person bail in the sum of GH¢600,000 with three sureties, who must justify the amount with landed property. They have also been directed to surrender their passports to the court registry. The case has been adjourned to July 6, 2026.
According to the prosecution, seven other suspects identified as Ariyo Oluwa Femi, Hajia Baby, Aikins, Abotchie, Gatiso, Yaw and one Mohammed remain at large.
Counsel for the accused persons argued for bail, contending that their clients were not flight risks because they reside within the jurisdiction of the court. The defence also maintained that the prosecution had not presented evidence indicating that the accused intended to abscond or commit further offences.
The lawyers further emphasised that the two military officers had served the country diligently before their arrest.
However, Chief Inspector Wisdom Alorwu, who led the prosecution, opposed the bail application, describing the accused as potential flight risks. He noted that although the alleged robbery occurred in December 2025, the suspects were only arrested in May 2026 following intelligence-led police operations.
The prosecution told the court that the complainant, Gbe Atse Hubert, and a witness, Abdul Majid Inikly Ibrahim, both car dealers, were lured into a transaction involving the purchase of a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon.
According to prosecutors, Ibrahim had expressed interest in purchasing the vehicle in December 2025. The complainant subsequently contacted a friend in Côte d’Ivoire, who introduced him to Mohammed, an alleged accomplice currently on the run, who purportedly had the vehicle available in Ghana.
The accused persons allegedly met the complainant at Kalabash Restaurant at Adjiringanor in East Legon, where the vehicle was displayed and a purchase price of 50 million CFA francs, equivalent to approximately GH¢1.08 million, was agreed upon.
On December 22, 2025, the complainant and Ibrahim reportedly arrived to complete the transaction. Prosecutors allege that Oduro directed them to another location to meet an accomplice.
While travelling to the designated location, they were allegedly ambushed by a group of armed men, including Akurugu and Arko, who were dressed in military camouflage and armed with pistols.
The attackers allegedly made away with 50 million CFA francs, an additional 2 million CFA francs, several mobile phones—including an iPhone XR, Samsung A16 and Oppo Reno 11—and physically assaulted the victims when they resisted.
Police investigations later led to the arrest of one Samuel Kobi in Kumasi on January 11, 2026. He was allegedly found in possession of Ibrahim’s stolen iPhone XR.
Kobi reportedly told investigators that he had received the phone from his sister, Susana Kobi, also known as Suzy. Susana was subsequently arrested and, although she denied involvement in the robbery, allegedly stated that her husband, Justin Yaw Oduro, had given her the device.
Further intelligence-led operations conducted on May 24, 2026, resulted in the arrest of Oduro, Akurugu and Arko.
Police allege that the three suspects were planning another operation involving a prospective mercury buyer at the time of their arrest.
The complainant and witness later identified the accused persons during police investigations, according to prosecutors.
Police say efforts are ongoing to locate and arrest the remaining suspects who are still at large as investigations continue.
