Nigerian national remanded over alleged Labone bank robbery plot

A Nigerian national, Augustine Okechuku Maazi, has been arraigned before the Accra Circuit Court 9 over allegations of involvement in a planned robbery targeting customers and banks in the Labone area of Accra.

Maazi, who is unemployed, has pleaded not guilty to eight charges, including conspiracy and attempted robbery.

Prosecutors allege that Maazi was part of a robbery syndicate that was preparing to attack customers around branches of GCB Bank, Ecobank and Zenith Bank at Labone.

The case stems from an incident on August 13, 2026, when the Ghana Police Service reportedly intercepted the suspected gang while foiling the planned robbery.

According to the prosecution, the operation resulted in a police chase and subsequent exchange of gunfire, during which two suspected members of the gang were killed.

Maazi was arrested after the chase, while police reportedly recovered vehicles believed to have been used by the suspects and a pistol.

Investigations have also allegedly linked Maazi and the suspected syndicate to previous robbery incidents in parts of Ghana, including Tema and Spintex. Authorities are further investigating possible connections to criminal activities in neighbouring Togo and Côte d’Ivoire.

At Tuesday’s hearing, the court declined an informal request for bail and ordered that Maazi remain in custody.

The prosecution raised concerns about the accused’s lack of a fixed address and indicated that investigations into the wider activities and membership of the alleged robbery syndicate were still ongoing.

The court subsequently adjourned the case to October 22, 2026, for further proceedings.

Maazi remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.