A Nigerian national, identified as Augustine Okechukwu Maazi, has been remanded by a Circuit Court in Ghana following his arrest over an alleged plot to rob three banks in the Labone area of Accra. Maazi was arrested on August 13, 2026, after the Ghana Police Service said it received intelligence that a robbery gang was preparing to attack branches of GCB Bank, Ecobank and Zenith Bank in Labone.
According to the police, the intelligence was received at about 10:45 a.m., prompting officers to move into the area. The suspects were allegedly spotted in vehicles parked close to the banks. Police said that upon sighting the officers, occupants of one of the vehicles attempted to flee. Officers gave chase and arrested Maazi, while another occupant reportedly escaped.
The police further alleged that suspects in a second vehicle attempted to escape while firing at officers, leading to a shootout in which two suspected members of the gang were killed. Two vehicles a Toyota Highlander with registration number GS 1434-18 and a Hyundai Tucson with registration number GS 7915-17 were reportedly recovered.
Police also said a blow pistol was recovered from the scene.
Maazi was subsequently taken before the Circuit Court and remanded in custody. Reports indicate that he is expected to return to court on August 19, 2026, as investigations continue.
However, the case has attracted public attention because GCB Bank has denied that any robbery or attempted robbery took place at its Labone branch. In a statement, the bank said its premises were never breached and that no customer, staff member, funds or property was affected.
The distinction is important: the Ghana Police Service has alleged that the suspects were intercepted while preparing to attack the bank, rather than successfully entering or robbing a bank. GCB's statement therefore does not necessarily contradict the police claim that an alleged robbery was prevented before the suspects reached the bank premises.
For now, Maazi remains an accused person and has not been convicted of armed robbery or any related offence. The allegations against him will be determined through the Ghanaian judicial process.
Maazi was subsequently taken before the Circuit Court and remanded in custody. Reports indicate that he is expected to return to court on August 19, 2026, as investigations continue.
However, the case has attracted public attention because GCB Bank has denied that any robbery or attempted robbery took place at its Labone branch. In a statement, the bank said its premises were never breached and that no customer, staff member, funds or property was affected.
The distinction is important: the Ghana Police Service has alleged that the suspects were intercepted while preparing to attack the bank, rather than successfully entering or robbing a bank. GCB's statement therefore does not necessarily contradict the police claim that an alleged robbery was prevented before the suspects reached the bank premises.
The case has also generated questions concerning the Toyota Highlander recovered during the operation. Reports indicate that a vehicle bearing the same registration number, GS 1434-18, was reportedly impounded by Ghanaian police in connection with a separate case in 2019. The circumstances surrounding the vehicle and registration number have therefore become another issue requiring clarification.
For now, Maazi remains an accused person and has not been convicted of armed robbery or any related offence. The allegations against him will be determined through the Ghanaian judicial process.
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