The Tarkwa Circuit Court has remanded a 25-year-old self-acclaimed small-scale miner, Kwame Ato Asare, into prison custody over his alleged involvement in a series of robberies at mining sites at Kadadwen Ashieba in the Western Region.
Asare’s plea was not taken when he appeared before the court, presided over by Her Honour Bernice Mensimah Akoh on Wednesday.
He is facing 11 counts, including conspiracy to commit robbery and robbery, contrary to sections 23(1) and 149 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), as amended by the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Act, 2003 (Act 646).
The prosecution, led by ASP Samuel Ahiabor, told the court that Asare allegedly acted together with 14 other persons, including four identified accomplices who are currently at large.
The alleged accomplices are Maurice, Donkor, Abeka and a person known as “I See You”, as well as 14 others whose identities are yet to be established.
According to the prosecution, the accused persons allegedly attacked workers and private security personnel at mining sites in Kadadwen Ashieba on September 6, 2025, between 6:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
The prosecution said the complainant, Sarfo Wilson, 36, is the Operations Manager of Aponex Prestige Mining Enterprise at Kadadwen Ashieba.
The court heard that Asare and his alleged accomplices, armed with guns, cutlasses and clubs, attacked workers at the mining site and robbed them of 15 mobile phones comprising Tecno, Samsung, iPhone, Itel and Redmi brands, valued at GH¢10,320.
They also allegedly took a talisman belonging to one of the victims and cash amounting to GH¢3,700, bringing the total value of the items allegedly stolen to GH¢14,020.
ASP Ahiabor told the court that during the attack, Asare, who was allegedly armed with a cutlass and wearing a red jalabia with a talisman around his neck, threatened the victims.
He allegedly struck Lediptey Onpitey, 55, with a bar cutlass, while another member of the group allegedly slashed the victim on the back with a cutlass.
The prosecution further alleged that Asare forced some of the victims to slap themselves during the attack.
The victims subsequently reported the matter to the police and were issued medical report forms to seek treatment.
The court was also told that while investigations were ongoing, on September 12, 2026, Asare and at least four of the alleged accomplices allegedly attacked three other workers at another mining site at Kadadwen.
The victims, identified as Akuruga Ndaa, 22; Sekina Nuru, 20; and Welama Gnebga, 26, were allegedly robbed of two mobile phones valued at GH¢5,120.
The prosecution said Akuruga Ndaa was severely beaten after the attackers allegedly demanded GH¢30,000 from the victims.
Asare was subsequently arrested on September 13, 2026, at a hotel in Kadadwen, where police allegedly found him wearing the same red jalabia and talisman he was said to have worn during the earlier attack.
According to the prosecution, Asare, in his caution statement, admitted attacking and robbing victims at various mining sites at Kadadwen.
He allegedly mentioned Maurice, Donkor, Abeka, “I See You” and others as his accomplices.
The prosecution said investigations were continuing and prayed the court to remand the accused into custody.
The court subsequently remanded Asare into prison custody. The other alleged accomplices remain at large.
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