Luigi Mangione, 28, revealed for the first time through his allocution to the court that he posed as a potential investor and emailed the insurance giant to confirm the location of the investors conference so he could track Thompson’s location.

“I emailed UnitedHealthcare with the intent to shoot Brian Thompson,” Mangione said in his statement. “On the morning of Dec. 4, 2024 I shot Mr. Thompson in Manhattan in his back.”

The admitted gunman said he “understood my actions would place [Thompson] in fear of death and bodily injury” and that he “knew what I was doing was illegal.”

Mangione also told the judge that he was driven to kill Thompson because of his experience with the healthcare system as a patient with a back injury. Prosecutors have previously said that Mangione had no personal connection to UnitedHealthcare and he was never a customer.

Thompson’s family issued a rare public statement after the plea hearing, calling it “an important step toward justice for Brian and for our family.”

“While nothing will ease the pain of losing him, we are grateful that the federal justice system has held the person responsible for this heinous act accountable,” the statement said. “Now we look to the court to ensure that sentencing reflects the severity of this crime.”

Mangione faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and prosecutors suggested that his sentencing range under federal guidelines would be 24 to 30 years in prison. Prosecutors later clarified that they would be recommending life in prison, the steepest sentence available.

He will be sentenced at a separate hearing Dec. 18 and the final sentence will be determined by the judge who has full discretion.

His federal court guilty plea is expected to kick off a double jeopardy fight in state court where he still faces murder charges and the possibility of life in prison. Mangione’s defense is expected to argue that the cases cover the same alleged conduct and that proceeding with a state court trial would amount to a legal violation.

“Since December 2024, the Manhattan D.A.’s Office has been tirelessly preparing to pursue a trial conviction in New York State Supreme Court for the alleged cold-blooded murder of Brian Thompson,” a spokesperson for the Manhattan District Attorney’s office said following the federal hearing. “While federal sentencing is pending, we are prepared to litigate the defense motions. The Manhattan D.A.’s Office remains committed to seeking justice for Mr. Thompson and his family.”

Following the guilty plea, Mangione’s lawyer Karen Friedman Agnifilo said, “We just filed our motion in state court explaining why the state charges must be dismissed under New York’s double jeopardy protections.”

She also discussed Mangione’s rationale.

“As Luigi explained in court today, he endured years of severe debilitating pain following a broken back while struggling to navigate our healthcare and health insurance systems,” Friedman Agnifilo said.

“He believed that the system had failed him and destroyed his life,” the attorney added.

The upcoming double jeopardy fight could stall proceedings in New York Supreme Court where he’s set to stand trial Sept. 8. It could also lead to litigation in appeals court.

The suspect, identified as Aisha Musa, was arrested after allegedly mixing a poisonous substance into her husband’s food on August 12, 2026.

According to the command’s spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, police received a distress call from an anonymous woman and quickly moved to the scene.

The husband was subsequently taken to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital in Bauchi, where he is currently receiving treatment.

Police arrested Aisha shortly after the incident. She allegedly confessed during interrogation, although investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident are continuing.

As part of the investigation, officers reportedly recovered an empty bottle suspected to have contained the poisonous substance, together with remnants of the meal allegedly laced with the substance.

The items have been preserved as exhibits as police work to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged poisoning.

The case comes barely six weeks after the couple reportedly got married.

The Ashanti Regional Police Command said Mustapha was arrested on July 21, 2026, by the Asokore Mampong Night Patrol Team after a 25-year-old man was attacked and robbed of his mobile phone near the Presbyterian Church at Asabi.

According to the police, the suspect attempted to escape and hide in an uncompleted building when officers arrived at the scene but was pursued and arrested.

A mobile phone belonging to the victim and a cutlass believed to have been used in the attack were retrieved from the suspect.

The victim sustained cutlass wounds to his forehead, neck and left hand and was conveyed to the KNUST Hospital for treatment. He later regained consciousness and was reported to be in stable condition.

Mustapha was arraigned before the Asokwa Circuit Court Two on July 27, 2026, on charges of robbery and causing harm. He pleaded guilty to both charges and was remanded into police custody.

On August 10, 2026, he was brought before the same court, presided over by Her Honour Vida Achiaa Yeboah, and was convicted and sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment with hard labour.

He has since been conveyed to the Kumasi Central Prisons to begin serving his sentence.

The Ashanti Central District Police Command secured the conviction and sentencing on Thursday, August 14, 2026, following a robbery incident reported on July 21.

According to the police, the victim reported that at about 12:21 p.m. on July 21, while heading towards Konkromase Township, she was threatened and robbed of her handbag containing personal effects and cash.

Following investigations, Christian Owusu was arrested on August 4 and arraigned before the Atasemanso Circuit Court on August 7.

The case was presided over by His Lordship Mr Kwaku Baah Frimpong.

Owusu was charged with robbery and pleaded guilty to the offence, leading to his conviction on his own plea.

Before sentencing, he pleaded with the court for forgiveness.

The court, after considering his plea, sentenced him to 10 years’ imprisonment with hard labour.

He was subsequently handed over to the authorities of the Kumasi Central Prisons to begin serving his sentence.

According to the Police, a robbery syndicate was preparing to attack GCB Bank, Ecobank and Zenith Bank, all located within the Labone enclave, when its operation was foiled.

The clarification follows an earlier Police statement which reported that a robbery attempt at the GCB Bank, Labone branch, had been foiled, resulting in the death of two suspects and the arrest of another.

GCB Bank, however, subsequently denied that any robbery or attempted robbery had occurred at its Labone branch, stating that the branch was never breached and that no customer, staff member, funds or property was affected.

In its latest update issued on Thursday, August 13, 2026, the Police said it received intelligence at about 10:45am that a gang was preparing to attack the three banks.

A police response team was immediately deployed to Labone, where the suspects were reportedly spotted in two vehicles parked close to the banks.

The Police said the suspects attempted to flee after noticing the presence of security personnel.

One of the vehicles reportedly sped off, leading to a police chase during which suspect Augustine Okechuku Maazi was arrested.

The other occupant of that vehicle managed to escape.

According to the Police, the occupants of the second vehicle also attempted to flee while firing at the police officers.

The officers returned fire, resulting in a shootout in which two of the suspects were killed.

The Police said two vehicles were recovered from the scene, a Toyota Highlander with registration number GS-1434-18 and a Hyundai Tucson with registration number GS-7915-17.

A blow pistol was also recovered.

Suspect Augustine Okechuku Maazi remains in police custody and is assisting with investigations.

The bodies of the two deceased suspects have been deposited at the morgue for preservation, identification and autopsy.

The Ghana Police Service commended the response team for successfully foiling what it described as a planned robbery attempt.

The Service also expressed appreciation to members of the public for providing information that assists the Police in preventing and responding to criminal activities.

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The development follows his arrest by the Cyber Vetting and Enforcement Team in connection with a video in which he was allegedly seen making derogatory and offensive remarks about the Islamic prophet.

Daniel Adjei is also the prophet who was allegedly slapped by an Imam during a separate confrontation, an incident that drew attention on social media.

He appeared before court today, where he was granted bail with the assistance of NPP Member of Parliament Rev. John Ntim Fordjour.

The case is being investigated by the authorities, with the circumstances surrounding the alleged comments and the confrontation forming part of the broader matter.

The Ghana Police Service has maintained that freedom of expression and religion must not be used to justify statements that encourage violence or threaten public peace.

The police have also warned religious leaders, preachers and social media commentators to exercise restraint in their public utterances, particularly on matters capable of triggering religious tension.

Further proceedings are expected as investigations continue.

The incident occurred on Thursday, August 13, 2026, with police intervention leading to the death of two suspected robbers and the arrest of another.

According to the Police Service, the operation successfully prevented the robbery attempt at the bank.

The arrested suspect is currently in police custody and is expected to assist investigators as they work to establish the circumstances surrounding the attempted robbery.

The identities of the deceased suspects and further details about the incident have not yet been disclosed.

The Police Service is expected to provide additional information as investigations continue.

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The suspect, identified as Christiana Tengu Tsavkaha, also known as Christiana Angle, was arraigned on charges of conspiracy and human trafficking.

The court ordered that she be remanded at Yaikyor Prison and adjourned the case to October 29, 2026, for further mention.

The development was confirmed by Benue-based activist Zege Orkwande, who disclosed the arrest in a Facebook post on Tuesday, August 11.

According to Mr Orkwande, Tsavkaha was arrested after an extended search for her in connection with the allegations.

He further cited statements attributed to the alleged victims, claiming that the suspect trafficked 13 girls from Benue to Ghana, where they were allegedly forced into prostitution.

The allegations are yet to be tested in court, and Tsavkaha remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

The case adds to concerns over the movement of young women across borders under circumstances that may expose them to exploitation and trafficking.

With the matter now before the court, further proceedings are expected to shed more light on the circumstances surrounding the alleged trafficking and the identities and roles of other persons who may have been involved.

The suspects were reportedly operating a checkpoint along the Sawla-Wa highway, where they allegedly presented themselves as National Security officials.

According to the Savannah Regional Police Command, the four were found wearing camouflage uniforms and carrying firearms, including a toy gun, which they allegedly used to intimidate motorists and other members of the public.

The suspects are believed to have used their appearance and the weapons to create the impression that they were authorised security personnel while allegedly demanding money from passengers and other victims passing through the area.

Their activities reportedly came under the attention of the Sawla District Police, leading to their arrest.

The Savannah Regional Police Command says the suspects will be processed for court after investigations are completed.

The first suspect, Masud Abdullah, 35, an Imam, was arrested in connection with a video in which he allegedly advocated violence against people who speak ill of Prophet Mohammed.

According to the Police, preliminary information indicates that Abdullah made the remarks while delivering a sermon at a mosque at Ntensere in the Atwima Nwabiagya North District of the Ashanti Region.

In a related case, the Cyber Vetting and Enforcement Team has arrested Daniel Junior Yaw Adjei, also known as Apostle Daniel JY Adjei, over a separate video in which he was allegedly seen making derogatory and offensive comments about Prophet Mohammed.

The Police said investigations into both cases are ongoing and the suspects will be taken through the due process of the law.

The arrests come as the Police caution against the use of religious or constitutional freedoms to promote violence or encourage attacks against others.

The Service reminded religious leaders, preachers, community leaders and social media commentators that while freedom of religion and expression are protected, such freedoms do not extend to statements that incite violence or encourage people to harm others.

The Police said persons found engaging in such conduct will be arrested and made to face the law.

The suspects were arrested after months of intelligence led operations, according to a statement issued by the Public Affairs Unit of the Ghana Police Service on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.

One of the suspects, Nasiru Abdul Rahman, 52, sustained injuries during the operation and died on arrival at the Upper West Regional Hospital.

The police said the circumstances surrounding his injuries were not immediately clear.

His body has been deposited at the hospital mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

The syndicate is accused of attacking and injuring victims with machetes before forcing them to disclose the PINs to their Mobile Money accounts.

The police said money was subsequently transferred from the accounts to accounts allegedly controlled by the robbers.

Investigations have linked the syndicate to a number of robbery incidents in the region, including attacks at Kpenateng Junction on August 1, Kulkpara Dapoha on June 19 and Kpenateng Community on June 15.

The police statement also listed an incident dated May 23, although the location was not clear in the document.

Another incident was recorded at Piisi Dapoha on March 27.

Police estimates indicate that about GH¢22,070 in cash was stolen directly from victims, while another GH¢3,274 was allegedly transferred through Mobile Money accounts.

Seven mobile phones recovered from the suspects are being examined as part of the investigation.

The arrested suspects, apart from the deceased, are Amadu Moro, 35; Adama Yussif, 40; Iddrissu Adama, 35; Korika Issaka, 20; and Zakaria Brigi, 21.

The police said Mr Yussif, Mr Moro and Nasiru Abdul Rahman were members of the gang linked to the robbery incidents.

Two other suspects allegedly connected to the syndicate are still at large.

They are Haruna, 30, described by the police as the gang’s armourer, and Amadu Mahamudu, 24, the son of the deceased suspect.

The police said efforts were ongoing to locate and arrest the two suspects.

The Upper West Regional Police Commander, DCOP Francis Yiribaare, urged residents, particularly those in communities affected by the robberies, to remain vigilant and report suspicious persons and activities to the police.

He also appealed to the public to provide credible information that could assist the police in locating the two suspects and preventing further robberies in the area.

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According to him, Mr Berko’s conviction presents a major opportunity for Ghanaian authorities to demonstrate their commitment to fighting corruption by investigating all persons mentioned in connection with the case.

Speaking to Adom News, Mr Senanu said individuals cited in the case may have information relevant to the alleged transactions and must therefore be thoroughly investigated to determine whether they have any criminal liability.

He urged the Office of the Special Prosecutor and the Attorney-General’s Department to collaborate effectively to ensure that the matter is properly investigated.

Mr Senanu stressed that where investigations establish wrongdoing, the appropriate legal action must be taken, irrespective of the status or position of the individuals involved.

Meanwhile, former Deputy Attorney General Alfred Tuah-Yeboah has warned that failure by the government to investigate persons cited in the case could raise questions about its commitment to fighting corruption.

Speaking to Adom News, he said failure to investigate and, where necessary, prosecute Members of Parliament and public officials linked to the case could create the impression that the government lacks the political will to fight corruption.

Mr Tuah-Yeboah stressed that accountability must apply to everyone, regardless of position or political affiliation.

He said decisive action by the relevant authorities would demonstrate Ghana’s seriousness in the fight against corruption and help strengthen public confidence in the justice system.

However, the then Ranking Member of Parliament’s Energy Committee, K.T. Hammond, expressed anger over the allegations.

Speaking to Adom News, he questioned how much money he would have had to receive to compromise his credibility and integrity.

Mr Hammond said his reputation and integrity were not things he would sacrifice for financial gain and questioned the basis for any suggestion that he could have been influenced through monetary inducement.

He maintained that any allegations against him must be subjected to proper scrutiny and supported by evidence.

Presided over by His Worship Abdul Majid Iliasu, the court ordered the accused to undergo a mental examination to determine her fitness to stand trial.

She is expected to reappear before the court on September 3, 2026.

According to police prosecutor Matilda Osaah Buabeng, the incident occurred in the early hours of July 21, 2026, after Ampomah reportedly became suspicious about a whitish discharge she had noticed in her daughter’s underwear while washing.

The prosecutor told the court that the mother suspected the Class Five pupil was being sexually abused and was concealing information about the alleged abuse.

At about 3:00 a.m., Ampomah allegedly woke the child and demanded that she identify the person responsible. When the girl denied being abused, the situation reportedly escalated into a physical assault.

The prosecution said the accused allegedly beat the child with a cane before using a metal rod to strike her. She allegedly later used a cutlass to inflict injuries on the child’s head, hand and finger.

The injured child was reportedly forced out of the room at about 4:00 a.m. and sought refuge with her school proprietress.

The proprietress subsequently contacted Gilbert Takyi, a nurse at the St Francis Xavier Hospital in Assin Fosu, who took the child to the hospital for medical attention.

The matter was later reported to the Central North Regional Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service.

Police issued a medical report form for the child’s examination and treatment, which has since been completed and returned to investigators.

Ampomah was subsequently arrested, cautioned and charged with causing harm.

The court proceedings will continue as authorities await the outcome of the mental examination.

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The two suspects were remanded for two weeks when they appeared before the court, with the case adjourned to August 24, 2026, for further proceedings.

According to the Police, Adams Adder Almeida allegedly admitted during interrogation that he shot Rahman and his wife.

Investigators say the suspect claimed he was motivated by his perception that the deceased had repeatedly described him as “lazy” and “useless”, comments he alleged had affected him mentally.

Following his arrest, Adams allegedly led investigators to the room he shares with his brother, Bala, at Beach Drive Estate.

Police said a pistol believed to have been used in the shooting was subsequently retrieved from beneath a wardrobe in Bala’s room.

Bala, who reportedly works with the deceased, was also arrested and taken into custody for questioning as investigations into the incident continued.

Police investigations have also led to another person identified as Gideon, who Adams allegedly named as the person who gave him the pistol.

Adams reportedly led investigators to Gideon’s residence at Tuba, but he was not found at home.

The Police say efforts are ongoing to locate him and determine his possible involvement in the case.

The Accra Regional Police Command, with assistance from the Cyber Vetting and Enforcement Team (CVET), is continuing investigations as the suspects remain in custody.

The incident occurred on August 6, 2026, at Beach Drive Estate, Tuba, where Mohammed Rahman, 54, and his wife, Christiana Fosu, 53, were allegedly shot outside their four-bedroom apartment.

The Weija Police received information about the shooting and quickly dispatched personnel to the scene. The couple were found with gunshot wounds and were subsequently rushed to Finney Hospital, Weija, for emergency medical attention.

Rahman was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital, while his wife was referred to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, where she remains on admission and is reportedly responding to treatment.

The body of the deceased has been deposited at the Police Hospital Mortuary pending autopsy.

The accused, also known as Puplampu, has been charged with unlawful entry, assault and robbery. He pleaded not guilty before an Accra Circuit Court presided over by Mr Isaac Addo last Tuesday.

The court admitted him to bail in the sum of GH¢200,000 with three sureties, one of whom must justify the bond with landed property. He is expected to reappear before the court on August 17, 2026.

Brief fact

Presenting the facts of the case, Chief Inspector Josephine Lamptey said the complainant, Pauline Dankwa-Smith, is a seamstress who lives at Sakumono, a suburb of Accra, while Larbi is unemployed and has no specific place of residence.

The prosecution said that on June 22, 2026, the complainant spotted the accused in the backyard of her house near the water meter.

On noticing that he had been seen, Larbi allegedly signalled to the complainant not to raise an alarm. However, she screamed for help and attempted to flee.

The prosecutor said the accused allegedly rushed towards her, pushed her to the ground, pointed a sharp metallic object at her and demanded her mobile phone.

The prosecution said although the complainant kept shouting for help, Larbi seized her phone, discarded it shortly afterwards and tried to flee by scaling the compound wall.

The prosecution said residents later found him hiding in the ceiling of a neighbouring house and handed him over to the police.

Police investigations led to the retrieval of a pair of scissors, a hat and slippers believed to belong to the accused from the scene.

Further investigations, according to the prosecution, established that Larbi had recently been released from prison after serving a sentence for a similar offence.

In his caution statement, however, the accused denied the allegations, claiming he had gone to the complainant’s residence to look for scrap metals.

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She said a thorough examination of the roles played by everyone connected to the case was necessary if Ghana was to draw meaningful lessons from the matter and strengthen its fight against corruption.

According to Mrs Addah, authorities must go beyond the conviction secured in the United States and investigate the Ghanaian dimension of the case, including individuals who may have been involved directly or indirectly.

She said interrogating all persons involved would help investigators establish the facts, identify possible wrongdoing and determine whether any public officials breached Ghana’s laws or ethical standards.

Mrs Addah’s call comes amid renewed attention to the case following the conviction of Mr Berko in the United States over a bribery scheme involving a Ghanaian power project.

“Apart from saying we are cancelling (the) contract, we must also be interrogating all the people who were mentioned. And again, I believe that as people who are willing and ready to fight corruption, this is a good opportunity to show that what happened in the past can be brought back to day and be dealt with,” she said on JoyFM’s Super Morning Show on Monday, August 10, while discussing the case.

The development has also triggered calls for a comprehensive investigation in Ghana, with the Attorney-General indicating that Ghanaian authorities would work with their US counterparts to examine the local side of the matter.

The investigation, she said, therefore presents an opportunity for Ghana to demonstrate its commitment to fighting corruption and ensuring that public officials and private actors are held accountable.

The suspect, identified as Francis Nsiah, was arrested after seeking medical attention for a gunshot wound he allegedly sustained during the incident on Friday, August 7, 2026.

According to the Nkawie Divisional Police Command, its operations patrol team received a distress call around 11pm reporting an armed robbery in progress along the Hiakose-Newense road.

Police officers who responded to the call said they heard gunshots as they approached the area.

The officers reportedly spotted one of the suspected robbers fleeing into a nearby bush with a bag and gave chase.

A subsequent search of the area led to the recovery of an iPhone 14 and a bag believed to belong to some of the victims.

Police later received information that one of the suspected robbers had sought treatment at a medical facility after sustaining a gunshot wound.

Officers proceeded to the facility and arrested Nsiah.

He was found to have sustained a gunshot wound to the left side of his buttock and is currently receiving medical treatment under police guard.

The Nkawie Divisional Police Command says investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify and arrest other suspects believed to have been involved.

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The suspects have been identified as Adams Adder Almeida and his brother, Bala Bilyon.

According to the police, the incident occurred on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at the Beach Drive Estate, Tuba.

The Weija Police received information that a man and his wife had been shot and wounded at the estate and immediately dispatched a team to the scene.

Upon arrival, the officers found Rahman Mohammed and his wife, Christiana Fosu, with gunshot wounds outside their four-bedroom apartment.

The victims were rushed to Finney Hospital in Weija, where Mohammed Rahman was pronounced dead on arrival.

His wife was subsequently referred to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital for further treatment and is currently on admission, responding to treatment.

The body of the deceased has been deposited at the Police Hospital Mortuary pending autopsy.

The police said during interrogation, suspect Adams Adder Almeida allegedly admitted to shooting the deceased and his wife.

According to the suspect, he was motivated by his perception that the deceased had repeatedly described him as “lazy and useless”, which he claimed had affected him mentally.

Following the suspect’s alleged confession, he led investigators to his brother’s room at Beach Drive Estate, where a pistol believed to have been used in the shooting was retrieved.

The weapon was allegedly concealed beneath the wall drop of his brother, Bala Bilyon.

Police investigations further established that Adams Adder Almeida and Bala Bilyon reside together in the same room at Tuba.

Adams also allegedly told investigators that the pistol had been given to him by a friend identified as Gideon.

He subsequently led the investigative team to Gideon’s residence at Tuba, but the suspect was not found at home.

The police said efforts are ongoing to locate Gideon to assist with investigations, while Bala Bilyon has been arrested and is being interrogated.

The arrests were made with assistance from the Cyber Vetting and Enforcement Team (CVET) as investigations into the incident continue.

The convicts, Nasiru Muftawu, 20, and Eric Salia, 36, were sentenced by the Wa Circuit Court after being found guilty of offences ranging from serial motorbike theft to residential burglary.

According to the Police, Muftawu was arrested on July 11, 2026, through intelligence-led investigations after he was linked to a series of motorbike thefts in various parts of the Upper West Region.

He was subsequently charged and prosecuted before the Wa Circuit Court, presided over by Samuel Boafo Amewuho.

Following a full trial, the court on August 5, 2026, found him guilty and sentenced him to 12 years’ imprisonment with hard labour.

In a separate case, Eric Salia was arrested on July 26, 2026, after allegedly breaking into the residence of a public officer and making away with valuable personal belongings.

He was also tried before the same court, convicted and sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment with hard labour.

The Upper West Regional Police Command described the convictions as part of its continued efforts to combat crime and improve public safety across the region.

Police further appealed to residents to continue supporting law enforcement by providing timely and credible information on criminal activities, stressing that community cooperation remains essential in preventing crime and bringing offenders to justice.

The operation, carried out by the Bekwai Forest District of the Forestry Commission on July 31 and August 1, targeted illegal mining activities in Compartments 1, 10 and 12 of the protected forest reserve.

During the exercise, the enforcement team immobilised an excavator and seized several pieces of equipment believed to have been used for illegal mining.

The items included a tricycle, seven changfan machines, 21 water pumps, two power plants, two generators and an air blower.

The suspects — Abu Naa, Adakwa Mathew, John Tibootey, Nurudeen Issah, Henry Peter, Ruth Agbenyo, Anthony Amadi, Sesi Mclean, Benjamin Owusu, Richard Atta, Sumaila Mohammed and Abel Nti — were subsequently arraigned before the Bekwai Circuit Court.

The presiding judge, His Honour Isaac Apeatu, remanded the accused persons into police custody. They are expected to reappear before the court on August 11 and 12, 2026.

The Forestry Commission also disclosed that a suspect identified as Abena Ahenkan, believed to be the leader of one of the illegal mining groups operating in the area, escaped during the operation and is currently being sought by security agencies.

Reaffirming its commitment to protecting the country’s forest reserves, the Commission said it would continue to intensify enforcement operations against illegal mining and pursue individuals whose activities threaten Ghana’s forests and other natural resources.

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The suspects were arrested following investigations by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command.

According to the Police, the incident came to light on August 3, 2026, after a vigilant resident spotted two men transporting a casket on an unregistered motorcycle under the cover of darkness.

The suspicious movement prompted an intervention, leading to a chase. While one of the suspects, managed to escape, the other was apprehended at the scene and handed over to the Police.

During interrogation, the culprit allegedly confessed that he and his accomplice dug up a freshly buried grave, removed the corpse and stole the casket with the intention of selling it.

Police recovered both the stolen casket and the motorcycle used in transporting it.

Further investigations led to the arrest of the cemetery manager, who allegedly admitted to conspiring with the grave diggers in carrying out the act.

Police say efforts are underway to arrest the fugitive suspect as investigations continue.

Kwarteng appeared before Accra Circuit Court One as investigations continue into allegations that he used religious identity and romantic relationships to gain the trust of victims before allegedly obtaining money and intimate materials from them.

The accused, described by Police as a pastor who operated online church services on Instagram, is alleged to have presented himself to women as a spiritual figure who had received divine revelation that they were destined to become his wives.

According to Police investigations, Kwarteng allegedly built relationships with some victims, met their families and presented them with promise rings as part of efforts to convince them of his intentions.

Police further allege that after gaining the trust of some victims, he obtained intimate images from them and allegedly used the materials to threaten or blackmail them into sending money.

Investigators also accused him of introducing some victims to a fictitious vehicle tyre business, allegedly collecting thousands of dollars from them under the pretext of importing, shipping and clearing tyre containers before cutting communication.

The Police said preliminary investigations have so far identified at least seven victims, with the alleged offences dating back to 2021.

Kwarteng and his wife, Sally Akosua Amoasah, have both been charged with offences including conspiracy to commit crime, defrauding by false pretences and non-consensual sharing of intimate images.

While Kwarteng was denied bail and remanded into Police custody, Amoasah was previously granted bail.

The court has adjourned the matter, with Kwarteng expected to reappear as investigations continue.

The arrest forms part of two separate narcotics-related operations conducted by the Police on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, as part of efforts to combat the trafficking, transportation and unlawful possession of narcotic drugs in the country.

Addressing the media, the Police said the Tsopoli operation was carried out by officers from the Prampram District Police after they received intelligence at about 5:00 p.m. that a taxi cab transporting suspected Indian hemp was being pursued.

According to the Police, the information indicated that an Opel taxi cab and a Hyundai H100 bus were allegedly carrying several sacks of substances suspected to be Indian hemp.

The Hyundai H100 bus, however, managed to evade arrest, while the Opel taxi diverted onto the Agotor–Kpatsredor Road towards Tsopoli in an attempt to escape.

The Police said commercial motorbike riders in Tsopoli joined the pursuit, leading to the interception of the taxi and the arrest of its driver, identified as Eric Tetteh.

A search conducted on the vehicle uncovered four sacks containing dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.

The suspect, the vehicle and the recovered exhibits were transported to the Tsopoli Police Station to assist with investigations.

During interrogation, Eric Tetteh allegedly admitted transporting the suspected narcotics from a village near Akuse.

The Police disclosed that one additional sack believed to have been part of the consignment was removed before the taxi was intercepted.

Investigators are currently working to identify and arrest those who allegedly took away the fifth sack, while efforts are also underway to trace the escaped Hyundai H100 bus and apprehend all persons connected to the suspected drug trafficking operation.

The Tema Regional Police Command said it remains committed to intensifying operations against narcotics trafficking and appealed to the public to continue providing timely information to support law enforcement efforts.

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The court did not take the plea of Thomas Dorkenu, 60, who has been charged with defrauding by false pretences.

The case was adjourned to Aug. 12, 2026.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Emmanuel Nyamekye, prosecuting, told the court, presided over by Mr Kwabena Kodua Obiri-Yeboah, that Dorkenu allegedly collected the money after claiming he could secure enlistment into the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) through protocol arrangements. 

The prosecution said Dorkenu allegedly informed one of the complainants, Ms Eyram Davordzi-Banini, a midwife at Akatsi, on Feb. 9, 2026, that he had secured recruitment slots from the Chief Fire Officer and asked her to mobilise prospective applicants.

According to the prosecution, Ms Davordzi-Banini mobilised 60 applicants and, on their behalf, paid GH¢303,200 to Dorkenu as what he described as approved protocol fees.

The prosecution alleged that Dorkenu subsequently issued purported appointment letters directing the applicants to report to the Ghana National Fire Service Training School on July 23, 2026.

However, when the applicants reported for training, they were informed that the appointment letters were not genuine.

The prosecution said the applicants subsequently lodged a complaint with the Chief Fire Officer, leading to investigations and Dorkenu’s arrest.

It said Dorkenu was handed over to the Police together with a Tecno Spark C30 mobile phone, believed to have been used in the commission of the alleged offence.

The prosecution said Dorkenu, in his caution statement made in the presence of an independent witness, admitted receiving the money but claimed he had also been deceived in a scam involving a Telecel telephone number.

The court heard that the mobile phone had been submitted for digital forensic examination while Police were searching for the user of the Telecel number as investigations continued.

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‎The seizure followed an intelligence-led operation conducted by the Police at about 8 pm on Wednesday (August 5, 2026).

‎Three suspects, including a Dutch national and two Ghanaians, have been arrested in connection with the consignment. ‎

Graphic Online reported that the suspects were picked up while supervising a group of men loading sacks of gari and ‘konkonte’ into a 40-foot container for export at a warehouse within the Tema Port enclave.

‎The suspects, together with the truck and the intercepted parcels, are currently in police custody for further investigations.

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The convicts, Kingsley Ndifon, 29, and Emmanuel Akong, 25, were each sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment for human trafficking after being found guilty.

The court, presided over by Naomi Adusei Amamiampong Kucour, also convicted the two of causing harm and sentenced them to 10 years’ imprisonment on that count. The sentences are to run concurrently, meaning each will serve 20 years in prison.

The case dates back to August 20, 2023, when the Afienya District Police Command received a distress call that several people were being held against their will in a house at Sebrepor, a suburb of Tema.

Police officers, assisted by residents, stormed the premises and arrested the two suspects while rescuing 11 Nigerian nationals who had allegedly been confined in the house.

A search of the property led to the recovery of 16 laptop computers and an iPad from rooms occupied by the suspects.

Investigations revealed that the victims had been lured from Nigeria to Ghana with promises of employment. However, upon arrival, they were allegedly forced into internet fraud operations and prevented from leaving the house.

According to the Police, the suspects confiscated the victims’ mobile phones and identification documents before compelling them to carry out cyber-related activities using the laptops provided.

Investigators also found that the victims were subjected to harsh conditions. They were allegedly fed only once a day and physically assaulted whenever they failed to comply with instructions.

Police said the victims were beaten with laptop charging cables and machetes, suffering injuries, including cutlass wounds. They were also found to be malnourished and in poor health at the time of their rescue.

The two accused persons were prosecuted on charges including conspiracy to commit human trafficking, human trafficking and causing harm.

This was revealed in a press release issued by the school, which confirmed that seven of the people arrested are students of the University.

In the statement, signed by the Head of Public Affairs, MacClean Lovelace-Dodoo, the University said the visit took place at NACOC’s national headquarters in Accra, after management made inquiries at various security installations to establish which institution had carried out the arrests.

The affected students remain in NACOC custody, assisting with investigations.

Management said the arrests were made during the Students’ Representative Council’s Week celebrations on Saturday, August 1, 2026, correcting earlier reports that linked the incident to Hall Week celebrations on campus.

The University further condemned the alleged conduct.

“The University condemns the alleged act of production and sale of cannabis-infused drinks and ice cream, said to have been committed without equivocation.

“The University wishes to inform the general public that, pursuant to Article 15 (vi) of the Students’ Handbook of the University, it is an offence for students to involve themselves in such acts of misconduct.”

The statement also mentioned that parents of the affected students have been contacted and have identified their wards among those alleged to be involved.

“Parents whose wards are pursuing various programmes of study at Koforidua Technical University should remain calm and not be agitated,” it added.

As a precautionary measure, all SRC activities have been banned until further notice, and a committee has been constituted to investigate the matter and recommend steps to prevent future occurrences. The University said appropriate pronouncements would be made once investigations are completed, and reaffirmed its commitment to cooperating with the relevant authorities.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, August 5, 2026, following allegations by some students that the headmaster was involved in ritual activities within the school.

According to reports, the students attacked Mr Zakaria, leaving him with multiple injuries. He was initially taken to the AGA Health Foundation Hospital for medical attention before being referred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi for further treatment.

The unrest also led to the destruction of two private vehicles belonging to teachers, damage to the headmaster’s bungalow, and vandalism of other school properties.

Adom News checks further revealed that some students had also accused the headmaster of having inappropriate relationships with female students.

The students allegedly claimed that a female student became pregnant, later aborted the pregnancy, and that the remains were buried on the school compound by the headmaster. The allegations have not been independently verified.

The Obuasi Divisional Police Command has since intervened to restore calm, with increased police patrols ongoing to maintain security and prevent further disturbances.

Some female food vendors operating on the school campus told Adom News that the unrest has affected their businesses due to disruptions to normal school activities.

Police investigations into the incident are ongoing.

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The arrests followed investigations into a robbery incident reported on March 11, 2026, involving a gold dealer who was attacked while returning home after closing his business.

According to the police, the complainant, Mr. Orls Oduro, had hired an Okada rider to transport him from Tamakloe to his residence at Wassa Akropong when armed men reportedly intercepted them and robbed them at gunpoint.

The robbers made away with GH¢24,000 in cash, gold weighing seven pounds and six matches valued at GH¢94,530, as well as two mobile phones (an iPhone XR and a Tecno Spark 12).

Following the report, the police launched investigations and conducted intelligence-led operations that resulted in the arrest of four suspects at Duaso and Domeabra on July 21 and 22, 2026.

The suspects have been identified as Kwabena Amuah, 25, alias IK; Mohammed Nasir, 28, alias Mallam; Samuel Agyei, 24, alias Okese-1; and Kofi Gyasi, 26, alias Brefo.

They were arraigned before the Wassa Akropong District Court on July 23, 2026, and have since been remanded into police custody to assist with further investigations.

The Police Command says efforts are ongoing to arrest another suspect identified as Agogo, who remains at large.

Members of the public with credible information on his whereabouts have been urged to report to the nearest police station.

The police have assured residents that they remain committed to fighting violent crimes and ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice.

The jury returned a 5-2 majority guilty verdict on July 30, 2026, after 39 minutes of deliberation. Under Section 46 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), as amended by the Criminal and Other Offences (Amendment) Act, 2023 (Act 1101), the majority decision was sufficient to secure her conviction.

Presiding judge Justice Marie-Louise Simmons adopted the jury’s verdict and sentenced Aboagye to life imprisonment.

When she was given the chance to address the court before sentencing, Aboagye said, “I have nothing to say.”

The judge gave the convict and her lawyer one month from July 30, 2026, to file an appeal at the Court of Appeal.

According to the prosecution, Aboagye, a petty trader, lived with her husband, Kweku Gyasi, and their two children in a single room at Omanjor-Dwenewoho, a property owned by a driver’s mate.

The prosecution, led by Senior State Attorney Christabel Selma Anafure, said an argument broke out between the couple at about 4:30am on November 3, 2021. In the course of the quarrel, Aboagye picked up a broken Coca-Cola bottle and stabbed her husband in the left rib.

When blood began oozing from the wound, she rushed out and locked her bleeding husband inside the room, then ran about 150 metres away to dispose of the bottle in nearby bushes.

At around 5:30am, the landlord, a Muslim who had just finished his Fajr prayers, was alerted by his daughter, who reported hearing unusual sounds from the couple’s room while sweeping the compound. He found the door locked, forced it open, and discovered Gyasi lying in a pool of blood.

Neighbours helped rush Gyasi to the Ga West Municipal Hospital, popularly known as Amasaman Government Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. His body was later moved to the Police Hospital mortuary for preservation and an autopsy.

Aboagye later returned to the house and was allegedly cleaning the bloodstains when neighbours apprehended her and handed her to the police.

During the trial, the prosecution called three witnesses, while the defence called Aboagye herself and her mother.

The victims accuse Royal Drive Group, a loan company operating in the area, of collecting deposits from prospective clients before its manager allegedly absconded with the funds.

According to the aggrieved traders, the company convinced them to enrol in various financial packages, including loan facilities and “work-and-pay” schemes for Voxy vehicles and tricycles.

They said prospective applicants were first required to purchase application forms and registration cards at GH¢70 before making deposits based on the amount of loan they intended to secure.

The traders explained that they deposited amounts ranging from GH¢700 to GH¢45,000 after being assured they would receive their loans on Tuesday, August 4.

However, when they reported to the company’s office on the scheduled date, they allegedly found only application forms and office furniture, while the manager was nowhere to be found.

The incident was reported to the Millennium City Police, who subsequently arrested six employees of the company to assist with investigations.

Police say the company’s manager, believed to be the principal suspect, is currently on the run, and efforts are underway to locate and arrest him.

The affected traders have appealed to the police to intensify investigations and help recover their money.

Investigations into the alleged fraud are ongoing.

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43-year-old Nana Takyiwa Adonu, who lived in Odenton, Maryland, was sentenced by a US District Court in the Southern District of Iowa on July 22, 2026.

According to court documents, Adonu played a major role in an extensive romance scam in which fraudsters created fake profiles on dating sites and social media to swindle victims.

She ran a company called “Han-Dak LLC,” which was used to collect payments from victims. She received more than $1.6 million in total, including over $55,000 from a single victim in Iowa.

Investigators say victims sent the money believing it would help reunite them with people they had met online and believed to be romantic partners.

“Many victims drained their retirement accounts, sold their homes and vehicles, returned to work after retirement, and borrowed substantial sums from friends and family,” prosecutors said.

When the FBI questioned her, Adonu claimed Han-Dak LLC was a legitimate garment-production business operating in China. She later submitted false invoices and fabricated customer and vendor lists to a federal grand jury in an attempt to derail the investigation, according to court filings.

In addition to the prison term, she was ordered to pay $1,655,640.76 in restitution and will serve three years of supervised release upon completing her sentence.

Her co-defendant, Naabanyin Aniagyei-Cobbold, was sentenced in March 2026 to nine years in prison over the same scheme, along with an order to pay $1,554,442.46 in restitution.

FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel, in a statement, said romance scammers exploit victims when they are most vulnerable, preying on people by convincing them a relationship is real and then abusing that trust to steal their savings.

The case was investigated by the FBI’s Omaha Cyber Task Force and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, and prosecuted by Assistant US Attorney Joseph Lubben.

The FBI reports that about 59,000 Americans fell victim to romance scams in 2024 alone, losing over $672 million.

The accused, 40-year-old businesswoman Theresa Sungbung, is expected to reappear before the court on August 12, 2026.

The court, presided over by His Lordship Livingston Lartey Yao Ameevor, remanded her after she was arraigned over allegations of possessing substances suspected to be Indian hemp and attempting to influence police officers with money.

According to the prosecution, the accused was arrested during an operation at the Bandankwanta police checkpoint, where she allegedly tried to offer officers GH¢300,000 in an attempt to avoid further action after the suspected narcotic substances were found in her possession.

Theresa Sungbung denied the allegation that she attempted to bribe the officers.

She, however, pleaded guilty to possessing the substances suspected to be Indian hemp but told the court that the items belonged to her brother, whom she said was based in Techiman.

The court subsequently remanded her into police custody as investigations continue into the matter.

According to a statement by Maud Anima Quainoo, Deputy Commissioner of Immigration in charge of Public Affairs, officers of the GIS National Enforcement Team raided a facility opposite the China West Mall in the early hours of Sunday, 26 July 2026.

The premises are reportedly owned by one Oga Toyas, Chief Executive Officer of TOYAS Group Limited.

The operation followed a tip-off from residents in the area who raised concerns about alleged criminal activities at the location.

Acting on the intelligence, a team led by Assistant Superintendent of Immigration (ASI) Atubga Elijah secured the premises and intercepted a total of 102 West African nationals.

Preliminary investigations showed that 85 of those found, 79 males and six females, were victims of human trafficking and forced labour.

The remaining 17 are suspected members of the cyber fraud syndicate and were also living in Ghana illegally.

Officers reported clear signs of serious physical abuse, particularly among the male victims, who were being forcefully manhandled and kept in appalling conditions.

Twenty-three people, made up of the six female victims and the 17 principal suspects, are currently being held at the GIS Headquarters in Accra for further interrogation and profiling.

The 79 male victims have been moved to a secure GIS holding facility while the Service works with other state agencies to arrange their safe repatriation to their home countries.

The main kingpins were not present during the raid, and investigations are continuing to track down those believed to be behind the network.

The operation was carried out under the Human Trafficking Act, 2005 (Act 694), which criminalises the recruitment, transportation, harbouring or receipt of persons through force, fraud or coercion for the purpose of exploitation. Convictions under the Act attract a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison.

In a related operation, the Ashaiman Sector Command of the Ghana Immigration Service, acting on requests from the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly and the Municipal Security Council (MUSEC), conducted a compliance exercise in the Tsina–Agbe area on Monday, 27 July 2026.

About 93 Nigerian women, aged between 15 and 44, were detained on suspicion of being brought into Ghana for commercial sex work.

They have since been transferred to a secure GIS facility pending arrangements for their repatriation to Nigeria.

The Ghana Immigration Service says it remains committed to protecting the country’s borders, tackling irregular migration, dismantling transnational criminal networks and safeguarding victims of human trafficking.

The trader, identified as Emmanuel Awotwi, was picked up by an AMA enforcement team after more than 500 coconuts were found occupying a significant portion of the bus stop, obstructing its intended use.

The Assembly said Mr Awotwi had converted the bus stop, which is meant for vehicles to pick up and drop off passengers, into a space for storing and distributing coconuts without authorisation, despite previous public education and warnings against the misuse of public spaces.

Explaining the situation, Mr Awotwi said he transports coconuts from Takoradi to Accra for distribution to retailers operating around the Arts Centre area.

He said the coconuts are usually offloaded at night and shared among retailers, but on this occasion, he was unable to complete the distribution, leaving a large quantity at the bus stop until the enforcement team arrived the following morning.

According to the Assembly, the action violated the AMA’s Control of Hawkers By-law (2017), which prohibits traders from engaging in activities that obstruct or impede the free movement of pedestrians and vehicles.

The Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, expressed concern over the increasing practice of traders using bus stops, loading bays and other public transport facilities as storage and trading points.

He said such activities disrupt public transport operations, inconvenience commuters and contribute to congestion within the Central Business District.

The Mayor also raised concerns about the improper disposal of coconut husks by some traders, noting that the waste is often dumped into drains and along roadsides, contributing to sanitation challenges and blocked drainage channels.

He warned that such traders would face arrest and prosecution under the Assembly’s by-laws.

The court convicted G/Cpl Suleman Ayuba Gbana, formerly of the Tamale District Police Station, and Adam Siba on July 20, 2026, after concluding the trial.

The case dates back to April 15, 2020, when armed assailants attacked two foreign exchange dealers, Issahaku Sumaila and Baba Fuseini, at the entrance of the then Mum Hotel on the Tamale-Bolgatanga Highway. The robbers shot both men and fled with GH¢530,000 in cash and other foreign currencies.

Investigations by the Northern Regional Police Command linked Gbana to the robbery syndicate after an arrested suspect named him as a member of the group.

A search of his residence led to the recovery of a Ghana Police Service pistol, 10 rounds of ammunition, three pairs of handcuffs, and a brown handbag.

Police say the pistol had been issued to Gbana during an earlier posting as a police bodyguard, and he unlawfully held onto it after his reassignment.

Officers arrested Gbana on April 23, 2020, and the Police Service interdicted him pending the outcome of the trial.

The court acquitted and discharged a third suspect, Mohammed Iddrisu, on all charges.

It also ordered that the pistol and ammunition tendered as exhibits be returned to the Ghana Police Service.

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Derrick Van Yeboah, 41, also known as “Van” and a leader of the criminal syndicate, was sentenced on July 28, 2026, by U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian. He had previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud on March 5, 2026.

“Romance scammers do not simply steal money—they weaponise trust,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton, who announced the sentencing. “Van Yeboah and his co-conspirators exploited trust, loneliness, and legitimate business relationships to steal more than $100 million. Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of these calculated frauds and our commitment to pursuing international criminal organisations that target Americans”.

According to  court documents, Van Yeboah was a member of a criminal organisation primarily based in Ghana that used two primary methods to defraud victims: romance scams, where operatives built false emotional relationships online before requesting money, and business email compromise schemes, in which fraudsters impersonated company executives to trick businesses into wiring funds.

Many of the conspiracy’s victims were vulnerable older men and women who were tricked into believing they were in online romantic relationships with fake identities assumed by members of the conspiracy. The group stole and laundered more than $100 million from dozens of victims, with fraud proceeds laundered to West Africa.

Van Yeboah was personally held responsible for more than $10 million he stole through his own romance scams. For example, in 2019 and 2020, he assumed fake identities to engage in romance scams with an Ohio woman and a Delaware woman, inducing them to transfer approximately $4.2 million to accounts belonging to the conspiracy. 

Similarly, in 2024, he claimed to a North Carolina man that he needed funds for a parent’s funeral and to recover gold and diamonds from Italy, inducing him to transfer approximately $123,000.

In addition to the 85-month prison term, Van Yeboah was sentenced to two years of supervised release and ordered to pay $10,149,429.17 in forfeiture.

Van Yeboah was extradited from Ghana to the United States on August 7, 2025, following coordinated efforts between the U.S. Department of Justice and several Ghanaian agencies, including the Office of the Attorney-General, the Economic and Organised Crime Office, the Ghana Police Service–INTERPOL unit, the Cyber Security Authority, and the National Intelligence Bureau. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit.

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The suspect, Nana Yaw Bonsu Kwarteng, was arrested following investigations into allegations that he targeted women by posing as a pastor conducting online church services on Instagram.

According to the Police, preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect convinced victims that God had revealed they were destined to become his wives. He allegedly gained their trust by meeting members of their families and presenting them with promise rings.

Police say after establishing relationships with the victims, the suspect allegedly obtained intimate images of some of them and later used the images to blackmail them into sending him money.

Investigators further allege that Nana Yaw Bonsu Kwarteng introduced some victims to what he claimed was a lucrative car tyre business, collecting thousands of dollars from them under the pretext of shipping and clearing containers of tyres before becoming unreachable.

The Police also revealed that the suspect’s wife, Sally Akosua Amoasah, allegedly received intimate images of some victims from her husband and is accused of threatening them.

So far, seven victims have formally reported the matter to the Police, with investigations indicating that the alleged offences date back to 2021.

The two suspects have been arraigned before Accra Circuit Court 1 on charges including conspiracy to commit crime, defrauding by false pretences and non-consensual sharing of intimate images.

The court remanded Nana Yaw Bonsu Kwarteng into police custody. He is expected to reappear before the court on August 6, 2026.

His co-accused, Sally Akosua Amoasah, was granted bail.

The Ghana Police Service says it continues to receive complaints from other possible victims and has urged anyone who may have experienced similar incidents involving the suspect to report to the nearest police station to assist with ongoing investigations.

The Upper West Regional Police Command said the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Abu Tijani, popularly known as Master One, who died on Saturday, July 25, 2026.

The 35-year-old, a youth leader in Wechau, had been on the Police wanted list in connection with the killing of two youth in Kandau on November 23, 2025.

Police said he had evaded arrest after escaping during an operation on May 11, 2026, and subsequently went into hiding.

According to the Police, repeated efforts were made through the Paramount Chief of Wechau and community elders to persuade him to surrender and assist with investigations.

Following his arrest, Abu Tijani allegedly admitted his involvement in the incident during interrogation and provided investigators with information about the movement of the victims’ bodies.

Police said he led officers to an initial burial site about three kilometres west of Wechau towards the Black Volta River. However, a search of the area failed to recover the remains.

Investigators said the suspect later claimed that he and his accomplices had exhumed the bodies and transported them across the Black Volta River into Burkina Faso in an attempt to conceal evidence.

The Police further stated that while escorting the suspect along the Nakore Road to help locate another alleged accomplice, he complained of a severe headache.

Officers immediately transported him to the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Hospital in Wa, where he was admitted at about 1:00 p.m.

Despite receiving medical attention, he was pronounced dead at approximately 4:37 p.m., according to the Police.

His body has since been deposited at the Upper West Regional Hospital mortuary pending an autopsy.

The Upper West Regional Police Command has since engaged traditional authorities and representatives of the Wechau community over the incident.

Regional Police Commander, DCOP Francis Yiribaare, briefed a delegation from the Paramount Chief of Wechau on the circumstances leading to the suspect’s death and appealed for calm while investigations continue.

At the request of the delegation, Police escorted community representatives to the Regional Hospital mortuary to identify and inspect the body before they returned to brief the Paramount Chief and residents of Wechau.

The Police have urged the public to remain calm, refrain from speculation and allow the PPSB investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s death.

The development adds a new twist to the ongoing investigation into the November 2025 Kandau killings, with the outcome of the PPSB probe expected to determine whether any misconduct occurred in relation to the suspect’s arrest, treatment or death.

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The arrests were carried out by the Assembly’s taskforce during an enforcement exercise aimed at ensuring compliance with approved public transport fares and protecting commuters from arbitrary price increases.

According to the AMA, the operation followed complaints from passengers that some commercial drivers, popularly known as trotro drivers, had increased fares without approval from the appropriate authorities.

The taskforce moved to the Kingsway transport terminal, where several drivers were apprehended for allegedly flouting the approved fare structure.

The Assembly noted that transport fares can only be adjusted after consultations and approval by the relevant regulatory bodies and transport unions, warning that unilateral fare increments constitute a violation of existing directives.

AMA officials further cautioned commercial drivers against taking advantage of passengers by imposing arbitrary charges, stressing that offenders will continue to face sanctions.

The Assembly urged commuters to report drivers who charge unapproved fares to the appropriate authorities to facilitate prompt enforcement action.

The coordinated operations, carried out between July 15 and 24, 2026, formed part of ongoing efforts to combat illicit drug trafficking, dismantle organised criminal networks and enhance public safety.

The exercise covered Afari, Nkawie, Ntobroso, Ahodwo, Ampabame, Atonsu Ahensan, Atonsu Gyinyase, “Thinker” at Alabar, Asokore Mampong, Sawaba Adinyase, Buobai, Atimatim, Kronum and Sawaba, targeting identified criminal hideouts and suspected drug trafficking hubs.

Police arrested 58 men and 35 women during the operations.

Preliminary investigations indicate that 65 of the suspects are Ghanaian nationals, while 28 are Nigerian nationals.

The suspects include Nurudeen Gafaru, 28; Abdul Gafaru, 29; Iddrisu Alhassan, alias “Tagor,” 33; Akwasi Afriyie, 27; and Prince Chidera Okekelawe, 25, a Nigerian national.

Exhibits recovered include 40 compressed parcels, each weighing approximately one kilogram, of substances suspected to be narcotic drugs, quantities of Tramadol (120mg, 225mg and 250mg), Ecstasy, wraps of suspected cocaine, dried leaves suspected to be narcotics, locally manufactured toffees and beverages suspected to be narcotic-infused, drug-processing materials, an unregistered red motorcycle, and unregistered and expired pharmaceutical products.

Investigations also uncovered suspected commercial sexual exploitation activities at one location. Police said further inquiries are ongoing to determine any links to organised exploitation networks, human trafficking and immigration-related offences.

All 93 suspects and the retrieved exhibits remain in police custody while investigations and legal processes continue.

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The story changed in February 2000, when police arrested a mechanic from Adenta named Charles Kwabena Ebo Quansah over the murder of his girlfriend, Joyce Boateng. That arrest would eventually unravel one of the darkest chapters in the country’s criminal history.

Quansah wasn’t unknown to law enforcement. His past run-ins with police and his aggressive conduct toward women had already put him under surveillance as a suspect in the killings. Soon after his arrest, investigators linked him to the murder of Akua Serwaa, a woman found strangled near the Kumasi Sports Stadium on January 19, 1996.

Before his 2000 arrest, Quansah had already served time at James Fort Prison for rape in 1986, was jailed again for a second rape in 1987, and was locked up once more in 1996 for robbery.

The confession

The breakthrough came through a joint investigation between Ghana’s CID and the FBI, which tied Quansah to numerous unexplained female deaths across Accra and Kumasi between 1993 and 2000. While in custody, he admitted to killing eight women in Accra, bringing his acknowledged victims to nine once the Kumasi case was added.

Most of the victims were night traders who were attacked, raped, then strangled. Several bodies were later found with condoms placed near them and their genitals removed or mutilated.

Investigators, however, believe the real number of his victims is far higher — as many as 34 women may have died at the hands of the same killer during that period.

The trial, sentence and denial

Quansah’s trial opened at the Accra High Court on June 11, 2002. By August, he had been convicted of murdering nine women and sentenced to death by hanging. He appealed twice, in September and November 2002, but lost both times.

He never let the guilty verdict stand unchallenged. In 2005, years into his sentence, he told prison officers he was innocent, claiming investigators had tortured him into confessing. He went further, alleging he had simply been taken to the Kumasi crime scene and shown where the body was found — not that he actually recalled committing the murder there himself.

The killings gripped the nation. Women in Accra and Kumasi lived in fear. The nickname “Accra Strangler” became a byword for a terror that felt too close to home.

More than two decades later, the case still comes up whenever people talk about serial crime in Ghana — a reminder of how long a predator can operate before the pieces finally come together.

Ghana has rarely carried out the death penalty since 1993, so Quansah’s sentence, while handed down, was never actually executed.

The armed suspects are said to have attempted to enter the plantation to fell trees illegally but were confronted by forest guards tasked with protecting the area.

One of the guards sustained gunshot wounds during the attack and is currently receiving medical treatment at the Tepa Government Hospital.

Speaking to Adom News, the Odikro of Bosomproso, Nana Yaw Gyamfi, said the forest plantation was established through a public-private partnership as part of efforts to restore degraded forest reserves through a reforestation initiative.

He explained that the trees have grown significantly and are nearing maturity, but suspected illegal loggers have, over the past year, been harvesting them unlawfully for commercial purposes despite several attempts to stop the practice.

“The illegal loggers are becoming a major threat to our community. They are destroying a forest we have invested heavily in to restore. The worrying aspect is that they are heavily armed and continue to threaten the lives of those protecting the plantation,” Nana Yaw Gyamfi said.

He said the forest guards were deployed to protect the plantation, but the suspects opened fire on them during the confrontation.

Nana Yaw Gyamfi appealed to the government to deploy security personnel to support forest protection efforts in the area, warning that continued illegal logging could undermine investments made in the reforestation project.

“If the government does not deploy military personnel to protect the forest, the Tree for Life initiative will achieve little. We will simply be wasting the huge investments made in restoring these forests,” he added.

The Odikro urged authorities to act swiftly to protect the plantation and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Meanwhile, police have commenced investigations into the incident and efforts are underway to arrest the suspects.

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The court’s committal order paves the way for Yusif’s transfer to the US, where he is expected to face charges linked to the transnational fraud case.

However, the court granted the accused 15 days to challenge the extradition order before the process is finalised.

Daniel Yusif is alleged to have played a role in the multimillion-dollar wire fraud and romance scam scheme, which US authorities are investigating alongside other suspects, including Abu Trica.

The latest development comes weeks after Abu Trica himself was extradited to the United States to face prosecution over his alleged involvement in the same fraud syndicate.

US prosecutors accuse the suspects of orchestrating an international romance and business email compromise scheme that allegedly defrauded victims of more than $8 million.

The extradition proceedings was after ongoing cooperation between Ghanaian and US authorities in tackling cross-border cybercrime and financial fraud.

Should Yusif fail to challenge the committal order within the stipulated period, he will be extradited to the United States to face prosecution.

In a wanted notice published on its official X page on Friday, July 24, 2026, the anti-graft agency appealed to the public to assist with information that could lead to his arrest.

“The above-named person is wanted by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) for the alleged offences of defrauding by false pretences,” the notice stated.

EOCO urged anyone with information regarding Mr. Ababio’s whereabouts to report to its Head Office, located adjacent to the Old Parliament House on Barnes Road in Accra, any of its regional offices, or the nearest police station.

The agency also provided dedicated contact numbers for members of the public to submit information that could assist in locating the suspect.

According to the notice, anyone with relevant information can contact EOCO on 0579 723 314 or 0579 709 066.

The anti-graft agency encouraged the public to cooperate with law enforcement authorities by providing credible information that would facilitate the arrest of the suspect.

EMMANUEL ABABIO is wanted by the Economic and Organised Crime Office.#WANTED #partnership pic.twitter.com/wLcTXIzBiN

— EOCOghana (@EOCOghana) July 24, 2026

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The victim reportedly sustained the injury while attempting to intervene in a confrontation between the two riders, who were allegedly fighting over a passenger.

According to information gathered, the situation escalated when one of the riders allegedly used a motorcycle key as a weapon and forced it into his colleague’s skull during the struggle.

The victim was subsequently rushed for medical attention before being referred to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital for specialist care due to the severity of the injury.

The incident has sparked concerns over rising tensions among some commercial motorcycle operators and the dangers of violent confrontations over disputes.

Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and take appropriate action.

The Wa High Court sentenced Ilyasu Konate to 10 years’ imprisonment in hard labour.

The verdict ended what prosecutors called a “highly expedited trial” and delivers a warning to child abusers in Upper West, where authorities say cases of child molestation are surging.

Principal State Attorney Abdul Saeed Shakur told JoyNews on Thursday that Konate capitalized on his status as a trusted neighbor to access the victim. Konate lived in Kabenya, a suburb of Wa. So did the 7-year-old boy and his sister.

“Families trusted him with their children. He was always with them,” Mr Saaed said.

“He decided to take advantage of that trust.” On the day of the assault (January 17, 2026), Konate offered the children a ride on his motorbike.

He also took his own stepdaughter. He drove them to a secluded area — behind a long articulated truck parked near the tennis court, at the back of Block B, Upper West Regional Coordinating Council.

There, he sexually abused the boy. Police were called after which Konate was arraigned at the Wa High Court within weeks.

In court, Konate denied the charge of defilement of a child under age 16. He admitted taking the children to the location but claimed nothing happened.

The court heard otherwise. The 7-year-old testified in-camera. A medical doctor confirmed the boy had been sexually assaulted.

The child’s mother also gave evidence. “He stood on a claim that he didn’t do it. But the court disagreed,” Mr Saeed said.

“The medical evidence supported our case. The testimony of the child supported our case. The science showed activity around the anal area of the child. All that, combined with the mother’s testimony, led to the conviction.”

Mr. Saeed praised the supervising Wa Supervising High Court Judge, Justice Osei Antwi-Wusu, for the judgment he described as “deep, analytical, and well-researched,” touching on “the science, the facts, even child psychology.

The judge didn’t take anything to chance. “For a long time, we haven’t sat through a judgment like this.”

Mr Saeed, however, said the case is not isolated.

“Child molestation is quite prevalent in Upper West Region,” he said.

“As I speak, there’s one still loading. Many others are not reported. Many are pushed away because of relationships. And often, it is people close to the children who take advantage.

“The court was forthright, we are coming. Anybody involved in child molestation, if we catch you, we will unleash the law in all its rigour. If you’re involved in these things, the day we get you, the law will take its full course.”

The trial was heard in-camera to protect the 7-year-old victim’s identity, in line with legal protections for minors. Konate was led away to begin his sentence immediately.

For the boy’s family, Mr Saeed said, the verdict brings “relief, finally.”

Also read:

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In a statement issued on Thursday, July 23, the Police said the operation formed part of intensified efforts to clamp down on criminal activities across the region.

The four suspects have been identified as Yusif Mohammed Ali, Abdulai Ibrahim, Abubakar Abdul Rashid and Mustapha Abdul Aziz Posy. They were arrested between July 11 and July 15 in separate operations conducted in Wa, Charia and Hamile.

According to the Police, preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects were involved in the theft and sale of motorbikes. They have reportedly admitted to the offences and are assisting investigators with further enquiries.

The Command also revealed that investigations have led to the arrest of four additional individuals suspected of purchasing some of the stolen motorbikes.

The suspects have since been remanded into custody by the Wa Circuit Court and are expected to reappear before the court on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.

Meanwhile, the Police have appealed to owners of stolen motorbikes to visit their respective District Police Headquarters with valid proof of ownership to facilitate the identification and retrieval of their motorcycles.

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The suspect, identified as Ahmed Mustapha, was arrested in the early hours of Monday, July 21, after he allegedly attacked and robbed a man of his mobile phone.

According to a police statement, the Asokore Mampong Night Patrol Team was on routine patrol at about 12:20 a.m. when officers received information that a male victim had been robbed and left unconscious near the Presbyterian Church at Asabi.

Upon arriving at the scene, police said the suspect fled after spotting the officers and hid in an uncompleted building. He was pursued and arrested.

A search conducted on him led to the recovery of the complainant’s mobile phone and a machete believed to have been used during the attack. The items have since been retained as exhibits.

The victim sustained machete wounds to the forehead, neck and left hand. He was rushed to the KNUST Hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment.

Police said officers visited the victim at about 5:30 a.m. the same day and found that he had regained consciousness. He is reported to be in stable condition and remains under medical observation.

The suspect is currently in police custody assisting with investigations.

The operation, conducted on Sunday, July 19, targeted two groups operating under the names “Model Q” and “Ignite”, which are suspected of luring unsuspecting individuals with false promises of overseas travel opportunities.

According to EOCO, all 39 persons rescued are currently in its custody.

Initial assessments indicate that 14 of those picked up are suspected to be connected to the scheme, while 25 are believed to be victims from Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali and Côte d’Ivoire.

During the operation, investigators recovered several items, including mobile phones, travel documents and identification cards believed to have been used in the commission of the alleged offences.

EOCO said the seized electronic devices will undergo forensic examination to extract further evidence.

The Office added that it is working closely with the relevant embassies and foreign authorities, particularly those in Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire, to facilitate the safe repatriation of individuals believed to be victims.

The anti-graft agency said the operation reflects its commitment to combating human trafficking, travel fraud and other forms of organised crime.

It also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious recruitment or travel arrangements to EOCO or the nearest security agency.