The Ghana Police Service has secured a combined 195-year prison sentence for five convicted robbers following two separate cases heard at the Nsuta Circuit Court in the Ashanti Region.
In a statement from the Ashanti North Regional Police Command, the court, presided over by His Honour Simon Nketia Gagah, sentenced the five individuals to lengthy terms of imprisonment with hard labour for conspiracy to commit robbery and robbery.
Convicts and Sentences
The convicted persons were identified as Kofi Adu (alias K2), Owusu Patrick (alias Ike), Francis Obeng (alias Amani), Karim Nurudeen (alias Kusheshe), and Akwasi Agyei (alias Showboy).
Two other suspects remain at large.
According to police, the sentences—ranging from 20 to 50 years—are to run concurrently. Two of the convicts received enhanced sentences after being identified as repeat offenders.
Modus Operandi
Investigations revealed that the group used deception and blackmail to lure victims, often posing as gold dealers or spiritual intermediaries.
They reportedly collaborated with individuals posing as fetish priests who claimed to possess supernatural powers to extract gold from ancestral homes. This approach enabled them to gain the trust of victims before robbing them.
Police Operation and Arrests
Between April 24 and 27, 2026, a special operations team conducted coordinated raids across several communities, including Ejisu, Effiduase, Bonwire, and Kumawu.
The operations, led by the police surveillance unit, resulted in the arrest of the suspects, who later admitted involvement in the crimes during interrogation.
Exhibits Recovered
Items retrieved from the suspects included a vehicle, multiple mobile phones, weapons such as machetes and a hammer, talismans, and various personal belongings of victims.
Details of the Crimes
In one of the cases, the gang attacked a fetish priestess at her shrine in Bonwire, assaulting her and stealing cash and mobile money after forcing her to reveal her PIN.
In a second incident, the group targeted another victim in the Kumawu area, again posing as individuals with access to gold. They later launched a violent robbery, making away with cash, phones, and other valuables.
Police Assurance
The Ashanti North Regional Commander, Felix Apedo, reaffirmed the commitment of the police to combating violent crime and ensuring public safety.
He urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, while assuring that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects still at large.
