By Issah Olegor
Two men alleged to be members of the security detail of the Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East, Phyllis Naa Koryoo Okunor, have been arraigned before the Bekwai Circuit Court over their alleged involvement in the robbery of GH¢165,000 worth of raw gold ore in the Ashanti Region, after investigators say a wallet left at the crime scene provided the breakthrough that led to their arrest.
The accused, Justice Kpakpo Mingle, also known as Nii, a 31-year-old photographer, and Justice Mensah, popularly called Gaza, a 29-year-old vulcaniser, both residents of Kasoa, have been charged with conspiracy to commit robbery and robbery under Sections 23(1) and 149 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
The two suspects have been remanded into custody by the Bekwai Circuit Court while investigations continue into the robbery and efforts to apprehend other suspects believed to have participated in the operation.
According to court documents presented by the prosecution, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police Lloyd Baidoo and chief investigator Detective Sergeant Arthur Lennox, the robbery occurred on the morning of May 22, 2026, along the Denkyei–Fomena road in the Ashanti Region.
Police told the court that the complainant, George Osei Tutu, a miner, together with Clinton Amankwa and Simon Ofori Amoah, was transporting raw gold ore from a mining site at Denkyei to Fomena in a pickup truck with registration number GW 3813-25.
The prosecution alleged that while travelling, the vehicle was intercepted by armed men dressed in black and brown tactical uniforms resembling those worn by military and police personnel.
According to investigators, the armed men, who were allegedly carrying a handgun, forced the victims at gunpoint to drive onto an untarred bush road before stopping at a secluded location.
Police alleged that the robbers seized raw gold valued at GH¢165,000, which had been concealed inside a grease bucket in the truck, together with several mobile phones belonging to the victims.
The attackers also allegedly took away the vehicle’s ignition key, leaving the miners stranded in the bush before fleeing.
Investigators believe the robbery was carefully planned.
According to the prosecution, after the robbery, the suspects allegedly remained in the bush until nightfall before changing out of their tactical uniforms and hiring a taxi to Adansi Asokwa, where they checked into Adom Ara Kwa Guest House under assumed identities.
However, police say the alleged operation unravelled because one of the suspects accidentally left behind a wallet at the crime scene.
The wallet reportedly contained a Ghana Card, Voter Identification Card, Driver’s Licence, as well as a business complimentary card bearing the name “Nii Akpaloo Concepts” and contact telephone numbers belonging to Justice Kpakpo Mingle.
Using the documents recovered from the scene, officers from the Ashanti South Police Intelligence Directorate (PID) tracked Mingle to Kasoa Nyanyano Monaco, where he was arrested on June 10, 2026.
Police alleged that during interrogation, Mingle led investigators to his alleged accomplice, Justice Mensah, who was subsequently arrested at Kasoa Akweley Junction.
According to the prosecution, both suspects allegedly admitted their involvement during police interrogation and identified one Festus Mensah, also known as Gucci, as the alleged mastermind behind the robbery.
Police described Festus Mensah as an excavator operator working at the same mining site from which the gold ore was allegedly stolen.
Investigators say he allegedly recruited the two suspects from Kasoa to participate in the robbery.
He remains at large, and police say efforts are ongoing to arrest him.
Court documents further allege that both accused men served as security guards for Awutu Senya East MP Phyllis Naa Koryoo Okunor and had been issued black and brown tactical uniforms in connection with those duties.
According to the prosecution, those uniforms were allegedly used to impersonate state security personnel during the robbery.
Police further alleged that after the robbery, the stolen gold ore was transported to Adabraka in Accra, where it was sold to an alleged black-market gold dealer for GH¢151,000.
Investigators claim the proceeds were shared among members of the alleged robbery gang.
According to police, Justice Mensah allegedly received GH¢60,000, of which GH¢20,000 was deposited into his wife’s bank account, while the remainder was allegedly used to settle debts and purchase canopies, chairs and food items for his late mother’s funeral.
The prosecution also alleged that Justice Kpakpo Mingle used GH¢18,000 from his share to purchase an Apsonic Jungle motorbike, with the balance allegedly spent on rent and other personal expenses.
As part of the investigations, police say they have retrieved the black and brown tactical uniforms, combat boots, trousers, the guest house register from Adom Ara Kwa Guest House, and the motorbike allegedly purchased with proceeds from the robbery.
The recovered items have been retained as exhibits. Investigators say efforts are continuing to recover the firearm allegedly used during the robbery and to arrest the remaining suspect.
