An Accra Circuit Court has heard a case involving two military personnel and a businessman accused of orchestrating an armed robbery during a staged luxury car transaction at East Legon that allegedly led to the theft of over GHC1 million.
The accused—Aircraftmen Eugene Akurugu, also known as “Bullet,” Emmanuel Arko, and businessman Justin Yaw Oduro—are facing charges of conspiracy to commit robbery and four counts of robbery. All three have pleaded not guilty.
The court was told that seven other suspects, including individuals identified as Ariyo Oluwa Femi, Hajia Baby, Aikins, Abotchie, Gatiso, Yaw, and Mohammed, are currently on the run.
Prosecution said the incident stemmed from a December 2025 arrangement in which the complainant, a car dealer, and a business associate were allegedly lured into a deal for a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon valued at about 50 million CFA francs (over GHC1 million).
According to the facts presented, the complainant was directed to a meeting at Kalabash Restaurant in East Legon, where the supposed sellers displayed the vehicle before arranging a second meeting at an undisclosed location.
While travelling, the victims were allegedly ambushed by armed men dressed in military camouflage and wielding pistols. The attackers reportedly made away with cash, mobile phones, and assaulted the victims during the robbery.
Investigators say the stolen items were later traced after one of the phones was recovered from a suspect in Kumasi, leading to a chain of arrests that eventually implicated the accused persons. Police also allege that the suspects were planning a similar operation targeting a mercury buyer at the time of their arrest.
The defence lawyers argued for bail, insisting their clients were not flight risks and had cooperated with investigations, while also highlighting the service records of the military officers.
However, the prosecution opposed bail, arguing that the suspects were only arrested months after the incident through intelligence-led operations and could interfere with ongoing investigations.
The court granted each accused bail in the sum of GHC600,000 with three sureties justified by landed property and ordered them to deposit their passports. The case has been adjourned to July 6, 2026.
Meanwhile, efforts are underway to arrest the remaining suspects still at large.
