In a case that has gripped the nation, Corporal Bernard Bortey of the Ghana Armed Forces, along with six alleged civilian accomplices, has been remanded by the Accra Circuit Court for their involvement in a daring armed robbery and kidnapping incident involving a fuel tanker. The suspects face serious charges, including conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery, kidnapping, and abetment of robbery.
Court Proceedings
The accused first appeared before His Honour Samuel Bright Acquah on August 11, 2025, where they all pleaded not guilty to the charges. During proceedings held yesterday, Cpl. Bortey submitted a bail application, which the court has scheduled for hearing on Wednesday. Until then, he remains in military custody, while the six civilian suspects are being held by the Ghana Police Service.
The prosecution opposed bail applications filed by the defence counsel, citing the gravity of the charges and the ongoing investigations. The court concurred, remanding all seven accused persons.
The other suspects include Mark Abito (34), a fuel tanker driver; Ganiu Abdulai (31), a driver; Atiiga Banabas (26), unemployed; Awine Ibrahim (25), a tanker driver’s mate; Muniru Ayebo (19), also a tanker driver’s mate; and Shaibu Adams (27), another tanker driver’s mate.
Details of the Incident
According to police prosecutors led by ASP Issah Achibari, the robbery took place on August 6, 2025, at Pampaso Number 1 in the Eastern Region. Cpl. Bortey, stationed at the Ghana Armed Forces Teaching and Doctrine College, is alleged to have orchestrated the crime with at least four other individuals, some of whom remain at large. The group reportedly trailed a fuel tanker transporting diesel from Tema.
The tanker, owned by Petroland Ltd., was intercepted at gunpoint. The driver, Jerry Kawuo, and his mate, Desmond Owusu Junior, were abducted and forced into a green pickup truck with registration number GX 2881-22. The stolen vehicle—a DAF diesel truck with registration number GT-2493-20—was carrying 54,000 litres of diesel valued at GH¢769,500.00.
The suspects allegedly drove the tanker to the Pacific Fuel Station at Bunso Junction, where they attempted to siphon the fuel into another tanker using a pumping machine. However, their plans were thwarted by swift police intervention.
Dramatic Arrest
Cpl. Bortey was apprehended around 12:30 a.m. on August 7, 2025, at a police checkpoint in Ablekuma Borkorborkor. At the time of his arrest, he was dressed in full military uniform and had the two kidnapped victims handcuffed in the back of his pickup truck. The victims managed to alert officers at the checkpoint, leading to Bortey’s arrest.
Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of six other suspects at Bunso Junction. The court has also granted a prosecution request to release the impounded fuel tanker and its contents to Petroland Ltd., citing safety concerns. Mr. Appiah Kubi appeared in court on behalf of the company, expressing concerns about potential theft or tampering while the vehicle remained in police custody.
Carefully Planned Operation
The prosecution revealed that the operation was meticulously planned, with the suspects dividing into two teams—one tasked with tracking the tanker’s movement from Tema and another team allegedly led by Cpl. Bortey to execute the hijacking. Investigators are still working to apprehend four additional suspects who remain on the run: Raphael Amartey, a man identified only as Arhin, and two others yet to be named.
Next Steps
The court has adjourned the case to August 27, 2025, allowing police more time to complete their investigations and disclosures before trial proceedings commence. This high-profile case underscores the need for vigilance and swift action by law enforcement agencies in combating organized crime.
As investigations continue, this incident raises critical questions about security measures surrounding fuel transportation and the involvement of individuals entrusted with public safety in criminal activities. The nation watches closely as justice takes its course in this complex and troubling case.
-thechronicleonline
Curated by Tetteh Belinda | GhanaCrimes
