A Circuit Court in Accra has remanded a Nigerian national, identified as Okechukwu Augustine, over his alleged role in a foiled plan to rob three commercial banks in the Labone enclave of the Ghanaian capital.

Police say Augustine is part of a suspected robbery syndicate that allegedly targeted branches of GCB Bank, Ecobank and Zenith Bank situated within the busy Labone business district. He is to remain in custody while investigators build their case and is expected to reappear before the court as proceedings continue.

According to a statement from the Ghana Police Service, intelligence was received in the late morning of August 13 indicating that a gang was mobilising to attack the three banks. A specialised team was dispatched to the area, where officers reportedly identified two suspicious vehicles parked near the banking facilities.

When the police moved in, one of the vehicles allegedly sped off, triggering a chase through parts of Labone. Officers intercepted the car and arrested Augustine, while another occupant managed to escape.

The occupants of the second vehicle are said to have attempted to flee under the cover of gunfire, leading to an exchange of shots with the police. Two suspects were fatally wounded in the confrontation. Their bodies have been deposited at a morgue for identification and autopsy.

Police say they recovered a Toyota Highlander and a Hyundai Tucson, along with a blow pistol believed to have been intended for use in the planned operation. Augustine is currently assisting investigators as they work to track down other alleged accomplices and establish the full scope of the suspected syndicate.

The police account, however, has faced public scrutiny after GCB Bank issued a statement distancing its Labone branch from any reported robbery or attempted robbery. The bank stressed that its premises were never breached and that no staff, customers, funds or property were affected. It assured customers that the branch remains secure and fully operational.

The apparent discrepancy between the police narrative and the bank’s clarification has raised questions among residents and banking customers in Labone, even as authorities insist that the operation disrupted a credible threat. The case is expected to draw significant attention when it returns to court, with prosecutors likely to rely heavily on intelligence reports, ballistic evidence and forensic analysis of the seized vehicles and weapon.