A Nigerian national, Maazi Okechuku Augustine, has been remanded by an Accra Circuit Court in Ghana over allegations that he was part of a planned robbery targeting three banks in Labone, Accra.
Augustine was arrested on Thursday, August 13, 2026. According to the Ghana Police Service, officers received intelligence at about 10:45 a.m. that a gang was preparing to attack GCB Bank, Ecobank and Zenith Bank in the Labone area.
Police say they spotted suspects in vehicles parked near the banks. One vehicle sped off when officers approached, leading to a chase that ended with Augustine’s arrest. Another occupant escaped.
Officers claim occupants of a second vehicle opened fire while trying to flee. In the ensuing shootout, two suspects were killed. Police said they recovered two vehicles, a Toyota Highlander with registration GS-1434-18 and a Hyundai Tucson with registration GS 7915-17, along with one pistol.
But key parts of the police account have been disputed.
GCB Bank issued a statement saying no robbery or attempted robbery occurred at its Labone branch. The bank said the branch was not breached and no staff, customers, funds or property were affected.
Other details are also being questioned. Checks show the Toyota Highlander listed by police had reportedly been marked as impounded by Ghanaian authorities back in 2019, raising questions about the vehicle’s history.
The Nigerian High Commission in Ghana has stepped in. Media coordinator Destiny Austine Omon told SaharaReporters the location cited by police is close to the 37 Military Hospital, the Presidency, police headquarters and Cantonment, and described it as one of Accra’s safest areas. He also questioned how a group planning to hit three banks would be found with only one pistol.
The President of All Nigerian Communities in Ghana was also sent to police headquarters to seek clarification on Augustine’s arrest and the deaths of the other two suspects.
Despite the pushback, the Ghana Police Service maintains that officers foiled an attempted attack on the three banks.
Augustine will remain in custody until his next court appearance, scheduled for Wednesday.
