Nigerian Maazi Denied Bail In Ghana Over Alleged Bank Robbery Plot

 

A Nigerian national, Maazi Okechuku Augustine, has been denied bail and remanded in police custody in Ghana over his alleged involvement in a foiled bank robbery operation in Accra.

Augustine appeared before the Accra Circuit Court and pleaded not guilty to eight charges, including conspiracy to commit robbery.

Following his plea, the court ordered that he remain in police custody until September 2, 2026, when he is expected to appear again, SR also confirmed the event.

Augustine was arrested on August 13 after the Ghana Police Service said it foiled an alleged plot to rob three banks in the Labone area of Accra — GCB Bank, Ecobank and Zenith Bank.

Police said they received intelligence around 10:45 a.m. that a gang was preparing to attack the banks and deployed officers to the area.

According to the police, officers spotted suspected gang members in vehicles parked close to the banks. One vehicle allegedly sped away after its occupants noticed the police, leading to a chase that ended with Augustine's arrest. Another occupant reportedly escaped.

Police further alleged that occupants of a second vehicle attempted to flee while firing at officers. A shootout reportedly followed, during which two suspects were killed.

Two vehicles — a Toyota Highlander and a Hyundai Tucson — as well as a pistol were reportedly recovered.

However, the circumstances surrounding the alleged robbery plot have been questioned after GCB Bank denied that its Labone branch was targeted.

The bank said no robbery or attempted robbery occurred at the branch, adding that its premises were never breached and that no customer, staff member, money or property was affected.

The conflicting accounts have raised questions about the exact nature of the operation and the circumstances that led to Augustine's arrest and the deaths of the two other suspects.

There have also been questions surrounding the Toyota Highlander reportedly recovered by police. Previous checks reportedly showed that the registration number attached to the vehicle had been listed by Ghanaian authorities as belonging to a vehicle impounded in 2019.

The Nigerian High Commission in Ghana has intervened in the matter following Augustine's arrest and the deaths of the other suspects.

Destiny Austine Omon, a media coordinator with the commission, reportedly questioned aspects of the police account, including the location of the alleged operation, the weapon recovered and the vehicles involved.

He also questioned whether the weapon allegedly recovered was consistent with the scale of the operation described by police.

Despite the concerns and GCB Bank's denial, the Ghana Police Service has maintained that its officers foiled a planned attack on the three banks.

Augustine will remain in police custody until his next court appearance on September 2, while the case continues.