Corporal Bernard Bortey of the Ghana Armed Forces, along with six alleged civilian accomplices, has once again been remanded by the Accra Circuit Court in connection with an armed robbery and kidnapping incident involving a fuel tanker.
The accused first appeared before His Honour Samuel Bright Acquah on August 11, 2025, where they all pleaded not guilty to four charges: conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery, kidnapping, and abetment of robbery.
During proceedings held yesterday, Cpl. Bortey (A1) submitted a bail application, which the court has scheduled for hearing on Wednesday. Until then, he will remain in military custody. The other six accused are to be held by the Ghana Police Service.
Their remand follows bail applications by defence counsel which were opposed by the prosecution due to the seriousness of the charges and the ongoing investigations.
The other accused persons are: Mark Abito (A2), 34, fuel tanker driver, Ganiu Abdulai (A3), 31, driver, Atiiga Banabas (A4), 26, unemployed, Awine Ibrahim (A5), 25, tanker driver’s mate,
Muniru Ayebo (A6), 19, tanker driver’s mate and Shaibu Adams (A7), 27, tanker driver’s mate
Arrest and Prosecution
According to police prosecutors led by ASP Issah Achibari, who held brief for ASP Emmanuel Heligah, the robbery occurred 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 conspired with at least four other individuals, some still at large to trail a fuel tanker transporting diesel from Tema.
The tanker, belonging to 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 (registration number GX 2881-22).
The stolen tanker, a DAF diesel truck with registration number GT-2493-20, was carrying 54,000 litres of diesel valued at GH¢769,500.00.
It was allegedly driven to the Pacific Fuel Station at Bunso Junction, where the suspects attempted to siphon the fuel into another tanker (GN 804-13) using a pumping machine.
However, a swift police intervention led to their arrest.
Dramatic Arrest
Cpl. Bortey was arrested around 12:30 a.m. on August 7, 2025, at a police checkpoint at Ablekuma Borkorborkor.
He was dressed in his military uniform, and the two kidnapped victims were still handcuffed in the back of the pickup. They managed to alert officers, leading to Cpl Bortey’s arrest.
Subsequent investigations led to the apprehension of the six other accused individuals at Bunso Junction.
The court also granted a prosecution request to release the impounded fuel tanker and its contents to Petroland Ltd., the lawful owner, citing safety concerns.
Mr. Appiah Kubi appeared in court on behalf of the company. The vehicle and fuel had been held at a police station, prompting concerns about the risk of theft or tampering.
The prosecution revealed that the operation was carefully planned, with the suspects dividing into two teams—one to track the tanker’s movement from Tema, and another, allegedly led by Cpl. Bortey, to carry out the hijacking.
The prosecution further informed the court that they require more time to complete their disclosure before trial proceedings begin.
The case has been adjourned to August 27, 2025, while police continue their efforts to apprehend the remaining suspects: Raphael Amartey, a man identified only as Arhin and two others currently on the run.
