Accra: One of the suspects arrested in connection with an attempted robbery targeting three banks at Labone has been remanded into custody. The suspect, identified as Augustine Okechukwu Maazi, was arraigned before the Accra Circuit Court and remanded as police investigations continue. He is expected to return to court on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
According to Ghana Web, videos circulating on social media showed Maazi being escorted to court under tight police security. He was handcuffed and wearing the same clothes he had on when he was arrested. The arrest followed a police operation on Thursday, August 13, 2026, after the service received intelligence about a planned robbery at three banks in the Labone area.
The police reported that the intelligence was received at about 10:45 am and indicated a gang was preparing to attack GCB Bank, Ecobank, and Zenith Bank. A team was subsequently dispatched to the area, where two vehicles were spotted near the banks. One of the vehicles sped off after the occupants noticed the officers, leading to a chase during which Maazi was arrested. Another occupant of the vehicle escaped.
The occupants of the second vehicle allegedly opened fire on the police as they attempted to flee, resulting in a shootout. Two suspects were killed during the exchange of gunfire, while the police arrested Maazi. The police later recovered two vehicles believed to have been used in the operation, a Toyota Highlander with registration number GS-1434-18 and a Hyundai Tucson with registration number GS-7915-17. A blow pistol was also recovered.
The police had earlier described the incident as a foiled robbery attempt at the GCB Bank Labone branch. GCB Bank, however, clarified that its Labone branch was not breached and that no customer, staff member, funds, or property was affected during the incident.