- Ghanaian court has remanded Okechukwu Augustine over an alleged plan to rob three banks in Accra
- Police said two suspected accomplices were killed during a gun battle
- GCB Bank, however, said its Labone branch was neither attacked nor breached
A Ghanaian court has ordered that a Nigerian national, Okechukwu Augustine, remain in custody over allegations that he was connected to a suspected plan to attack financial institutions in Accra.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the accused appeared before a Circuit Court on Monday after his arrest during a police operation in the Labone neighbourhood. He is expected to return to court on Wednesday as investigators continue to gather evidence.
The case followed a police operation on August 13, when security officials said they received information about an alleged robbery plan involving three banks in the area — GCB Bank, Ecobank and Zenith Bank.
Police subsequently moved into the neighbourhood and reportedly noticed individuals believed to be connected to the suspected operation in two separate vehicles.
According to the authorities, one of the vehicles attempted to leave after the occupants became aware of the police presence. Officers pursued the vehicle and arrested Augustine, while another person inside reportedly escaped.
A second vehicle also allegedly attempted to flee, resulting in an armed confrontation with the police.
Two suspects were killed during the exchange of gunfire, according to the authorities.
The police said investigators subsequently recovered two vehicles believed to have been used by the suspected group. A firearm was also reportedly recovered during the operation.
The authorities identified the vehicles as a Toyota Highlander and a Hyundai Tucson. Augustine was then taken into custody while the remains of the two deceased suspects were transferred to a morgue for identification and post-mortem examination.
However, GCB Bank has rejected any suggestion that its Labone branch was attacked or that an attempted robbery occurred at the facility.
The bank said its premises were never breached and that no staff member, customer, money or property was affected by the incident.
GCB further assured customers that its Labone branch remained safe and operational despite the police operation in the area.
The development has therefore left investigators with the task of establishing the exact nature of the alleged robbery plan and determining whether the banks were actually the intended targets.
Augustine remains in custody pending his next court appearance, while Ghanaian authorities continue their investigation into the incident.
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