The Tarkwa Circuit Court detained Benjamin Awal (29) and Kwame Mumuni (31) on April 8, 2025, after charging them with conspiracy to commit crime, robbery, and military uniform possession charges.
During the court proceedings, the accused remained silent because the court did not request their plea.
Police arrested Awal, who operated as an illegal miner from Wassa Simpa, together with Mumuni, who worked as a farmer from Mile 7, after they conducted a robbery while wearing army uniforms on March 27, 2025.
The prosecution revealed that Awal used his unregistered Suzuki motorbike to block a road that led to illegal mining sites near Wangarakrom together with his accomplice along with Mumuni.
The men dressed as soldiers with cutlasses and clubs intercepted the complainants, who were illegal miners and labourers pretending to perform military special operations against illegal mining.
ASP Samuel Ahiaboc revealed that the accused men extracted GH¢1,000 payments from each of the complainants when they demanded the money.
Bernard Tawiah attempted to leave without paying, which prompted the accused to threaten to shoot both himself and his workers. The robbers took away the victims’ phones before the complainants paid GH¢1,250 through mobile money to Awal’s account.
The accused individuals moved back to Mumuni’s house to change clothes before trying to escape detection after the robbery took place. The complainants notified local residents about the incident, which led to a search that ended in the arrest of Awal and Mumuni.
Tarkwa police received both the suspects and the stolen money when they confiscated the robbery uniforms from Mumuni’s house.
The investigation showed the criminals took GH¢1,145 from their victims while they now face robbery charges with unlawful military clothing possession. The legal hearing regarding this case will resume on April 23, 2025.
