A suspected ringleader of a seven-member armed gang that attacked miners at Antobia in the early hours of Monday has been arrested by police during a follow-up operation at a shrine in the Juaboso area.

According to the complainant, Alex Owusu, the incident occurred on November 17, 2025 at about 2:00 a.m., when seven masked young men armed with pump-action and single-barrel guns stormed their mining site.

The attackers reportedly assaulted the miners with cutlasses and robbed them of gold concentrate (black) and mobile phones.

Owusu told police that some of the robbers wore identifiable clothing, including smocks decorated with talismans and a military camouflage shirt.

Following the report, police officers—assisted by a private cyber specialist—tracked one of the stolen mobile phones. The signal led them to a shrine at Attakrom, a cottage community within the Juaboso enclave.

The shrine is owned by Victor Biney, alias “Abeiku,” who is already facing multiple robbery and murder charges before the Bibiani Circuit Court.

Although the suspect was absent when officers arrived, a thorough search of the shrine in the presence of witnesses uncovered a cache of weapons and items believed to be linked to the robbery.

The items included a military camouflage shirt, a pair of handcuffs, two cutlasses, pne single-barrel gun and forehead flashlights.

The rest are 17 AAA live cartridges, five smocks, a plastic basin containing particles of gold concentrate, mercury, a pump-action gun butt and other related items.

All exhibits were transported to the police station.

While returning from the operation, officers encountered Biney on the road and arrested him. At the station, he reportedly identified and admitted ownership of the gun, cartridges, handcuffs, flashlights, smocks, cutlasses, camouflage shirt, and other retrieved items.

The complainant and victims also confirmed that several of the retrieved items—including three flashlights, mercury, gold concentrate particles, three smocks, and the military camouflage shirt—were used by the robbers during the attack.

Later on the same day, November 17, 2025, Biney was arraigned before the Juaboso District Court and remanded into police custody. He is expected to reappear on December 8, 2025.

Police say the accused remains in detention, all exhibits have been secured, and efforts are underway to trace and arrest the remaining accomplices. Further updates are expected as investigations continue.

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service has arrested a man seen in a viral Facebook video physically assaulting a woman believed to be his wife at Ofankor in the Ga East Municipality.

The suspect, John Odartey Lamptey, was picked up on Monday, November 17, 2025, at his family residence following widespread public outrage after the video circulated online.

According to a police statement signed by Chief Inspector Brigitte Babanawo, Public Relations Officer for the CID, two of Lamptey’s siblings — Grace Kushie Lamptey and Louis Odartey Lamptey — were also arrested.

The siblings allegedly attempted to attack a female tenant they suspected of recording and sharing the video. Police intervened swiftly and rescued the tenant to ensure her safety.

Meanwhile, efforts are underway to locate the victim, who fled the home shortly before police officers arrived.

The Ghana Police Service reaffirmed its commitment to protecting victims of domestic violence and ensuring that all perpetrators are made to face the full rigour of the law.

President John Dramani Mahama has charged newly sworn-in Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie to urgently address the long-standing delays that plague Ghana’s justice delivery system.

“I therefore urge you, my Lord, in collaboration with the Judicial Council and the Bar, to prioritize the reduction of case backlogs,” the President stated after administering the oath of office.

Mahama said many Ghanaians continue to experience justice as distant, slow and financially burdensome. He pointed to frequent adjournments, delayed judgments and complex procedures as major sources of public frustration. Justice, he stressed, must be “accessible,” “timely” and “affordable” for all.

To improve efficiency, the President called for the adoption of innovative case-management systems, expansion and modernization of court infrastructure, especially in underserved districts, and broader use of technology. His proposals included e-filing, virtual hearings where appropriate, and digital recordings to speed up courtroom processes.

He further urged the simplification of procedures, particularly for small claims, family matters, juvenile issues and labour cases, to prevent ordinary citizens from being excluded by technicalities. Mahama pledged that government would provide adequate resources to support these reforms, emphasizing that the judiciary must be equipped to deliver justice “in a modern and efficient manner.”

The President highlighted the Constitutional role of the courts as the last refuge for vulnerable groups—including the poor, marginalized, persons with disabilities and children.

He called for strengthening specialized courts and divisions to address issues such as family welfare, land disputes, environmental protection, commercial transactions and corruption.

Mahama also encouraged the promotion of alternative dispute resolution to ease pressure on formal courts, particularly in community and family disputes. He cautioned that justice must not exist only in law books but must be “seen, felt, and experienced in the daily lives of our people.”

He underscored the need for continuous learning and capacity building for judges due to emerging areas of law, urging the strengthening of the Judicial Training Institute and the development of clear performance standards without compromising judicial independence.

The President stressed the importance of cooperation between all three branches of government, explaining that the judiciary requires an enabling legal framework, adequate budgetary allocation and supportive policies.

He affirmed the readiness of his administration to work with the judiciary in a manner that preserves its independence.

Mahama concluded by urging citizens to trust national institutions and resolve disputes peacefully, while the judiciary works to meet rising public expectations for timely and impartial justice.

President John Dramani Mahama has declared full confidence in newly sworn-in Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, assuring him of the government’s support as he assumes the highest judicial office.

Addressing the gathering at the official swearing in ceremony of Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie on Monday, November 17, the president said “I am confident that under your leadership, my Lord Chief Justice, the judiciary will continue to uphold its constitutional mandate without fear or favour,” the President said.

Mahama described the ceremony as a solemn and historic moment that reaffirms Ghana’s commitment to constitutionalism, the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary.

Congratulating the new Chief Justice, he highlighted the constitutional significance of the office, noting that the Chief Justice serves not only as head of the judiciary but as “the symbol and guarantor of justice for our people.”

The President underscored the critical role of the judiciary under Article 125, stressing that courts must administer justice guided by the principles of freedom, equality, probity and accountability.

He reaffirmed his pledge to protect judicial independence, stating that “an independent judiciary is not a favor to the courts, it is a constitutional necessity and a protection for every citizen, including the President.”

Mahama emphasized the need to safeguard the institutional, financial and administrative autonomy of the judiciary. He insisted that decisions of the courts, whether popular or not, must be respected and enforced, calling this “the bedrock of the rule of law.”

On judicial integrity, the President warned that a single act of corruption by a judicial officer can erode years of progress.

He tasked the Chief Justice with ensuring firm but fair disciplinary standards, transparent case assignments and strong internal mechanisms for addressing misconduct. “Our citizens must know and feel that justice in Ghana is not for sale,” he cautioned.

Mahama urged the Chief Justice to deepen the protection of human rights, ensuring that justice is not tilted in favour of the wealthy or powerful. He encouraged strengthening specialized courts in areas such as commercial disputes, land issues, environmental protection and corruption, while promoting alternative dispute resolution for community and family matters.

He also called for continuous learning within the judiciary, noting the evolving nature of the law in fields such as cyber law, environmental law and international obligations. The President urged the strengthening of the Judicial Training Institute as a centre of excellence for ethics, judgment writing and technology.

Mahama highlighted the need for a constructive relationship between the bench and the bar, as well as greater public education on how the courts operate. He stressed that the administration of justice is a shared enterprise involving judges, lawyers, traditional authorities, law enforcement and the public.

He charged the new Chief Justice to lead with courage, diligence and humility, reminding him that every case file “represents human lives, families, and people’s futures.”

He assured him of government’s full cooperation and support as he undertakes his “sacred mandate to the people of Ghana.”

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