A wallet carelessly left at the scene of a highway robbery helped police track down two security guards affiliated with the Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East after a gold mining team was robbed of raw gold ore worth GH¢165,000 in the Ashanti Region. The suspects have since been charged with robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery, while police continue to search for an alleged mastermind who remains on the run.
This story falls under: News
Wallet exposes suspects after carefully planned robbery
As reported by Crime Check TV, court documents filed before the Bekwai Circuit Court state that the robbery happened at about 8:00 am on May 22, 2026, when miner George Osei Tutu and two colleagues were transporting raw gold ore from a mining site at Denkyei towards Fomena.
The prosecution says their pickup vehicle was intercepted by armed men dressed in black and brown tactical military-style uniforms, who forced the victims at gunpoint onto a bush road before stealing raw gold ore worth GH¢165,000, several mobile phones and the vehicle’s ignition key.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for more interesting and relevant news
The suspects allegedly hid in the bush until evening before changing out of their uniforms and checking into Adom Ara Kwa Guest House at Adansi Asokwa under assumed names.
Their escape, however, unravelled because one of them allegedly left behind a wallet at the crime scene.
Investigators recovered the wallet, which contained Justice Kpakpo Mingle’s Ghana Card, Voter ID card, driver’s licence and a business card for Nii Akpaloo Concepts, complete with contact numbers.
Police from the Ashanti South Police Intelligence Directorate later used the documents to trace Mingle to Kasoa Nyanyano Monaco, where he was arrested on June 10, 2026. He subsequently led officers to the arrest of his alleged accomplice, Justice Mensah, at Kasoa Akweley Junction.
AudityNews recently reported on How Ghanaian Police Inspector’s Forgotten Phone After Robbing MoMo Vendor Lead To His Arrest as security agencies intensify operations against violent crime.
Court hears suspects confessed and named alleged mastermind
The suspects, Justice Kpakpo Mingle, a 31-year-old photographer, and Justice Mensah, a 29-year-old vulcaniser, have been formally charged with Conspiracy to Commit Robbery and Robbery under Ghana’s Criminal Offences Act.
According to prosecutors led by ASP Lloyd Baidoo, both men admitted their involvement during police interrogation and identified Festus Mensah, also known as Gucci, as the alleged mastermind.
Investigators say Festus Mensah worked as an excavator operator at the victims’ mining site and allegedly recruited the two suspects from Kasoa before planning the robbery using insider knowledge of the gold shipment.
Police say he remains at large.
MP bodyguard link emerges as police recover evidence
Investigators further discovered that Mingle and Mensah worked as security guards for Awutu Senya East MP Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor.
According to the prosecution, the two had been issued official black and brown tactical uniforms in that capacity, the same clothing allegedly used during the robbery to impersonate security personnel.
The development has drawn public attention because of the suspects’ affiliation with the MP. However, there is no allegation that Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor was involved in, aware of or connected to the alleged robbery, and police have not implicated her in the case.
Court documents further state that the stolen gold ore was transported to Adabraka in Accra, where it was allegedly sold to an illegal gold dealer for GH¢151,000.
Investigators say each suspect received GH¢60,000 from the proceeds.
Police allege Justice Mensah gave GH¢20,000 to his wife to deposit into her bank account before using the remainder to settle debts and purchase items for his late mother’s funeral.
Mingle is alleged to have spent GH¢18,000 on an Apsonic Jungle motorbike and used the remaining money for rent and other personal expenses.
Officers have since recovered the tactical uniforms, combat boots, the guest house register and the motorbike believed to have been bought with part of the robbery proceeds.
What’s next
The Bekwai Circuit Court has remanded both suspects into custody while investigations continue.
Police are still searching for the firearm allegedly used during the robbery and are pursuing the arrest of Festus Mensah, who remains on the run.
Related reads
- 3 Soldiers, 2 Police Officers Among 7 Arrested Over Alleged Armed Robbery Syndicate in Accra and Kumasi
- Ghanaian Police Inspector’s Forgotten Phone After Robbing MoMo Vendor Leads To His Arrest
- Brave MoMo Vendor Fights Back, Kills Armed Robber And Recovers GH¢140,000
- Police Finally Arrest Convicted Fraudster Who Hid for Seven Years After Eight-year Jail Sentence
- Police arrest six suspects, including chief, over murder of Abamba queen mother in Atebubu
- Police Reject GH¢300,000 Bribe, Arrest Two After Seizing 73 Suspected Cannabis Parcels
Explore more
News | Business | Entertainment | Lifestyle | Sports
