Accra Court Remands Seven in Diesel Heist
An Accra Circuit Court remanded Cpl. Bortey Bernard, a Ghana Armed Forces soldier, and six accomplices—Mark Abito, Ganiu Abdulai, Atiiga Barnabas, Awini Ibrahim, Muniru Ayebo, and Shaibu Adams—on August 12, 2025, for robbing a fuel tanker carrying 54,000 liters of diesel worth GH¢766,800. They face charges of conspiracy, abetment, robbery, and kidnapping.
The group ambushed driver Jerry Kawuon on August 6 at Pampaso Number 1, Eastern Region, intercepting the tanker en route from Tema to Kumasi. Using guns, they handcuffed Kawuon and his mate, forcing them into a green pickup (GX 2881-22), and drove the tanker to Pacific Fuel Station at Bunso Junction.
Police arrested Cpl. Bernard was on August 7 at the Ablekuma Borkorborkor checkpoint after the victims raised an alarm. Further probes led to the accomplices’ arrest at Bunso, caught transferring diesel into another tanker (GN 804-13) using a pumping machine. Both tankers are impounded at Kyebi Regional MTTD.
Bernard admitted to planning the heist with four others, still at large, splitting into two groups: one monitoring via a Toyota Corolla from Tema to Pokuase, and another executing the robbery. The accused, pleading not guilty, were remanded by Judge Samuel Bright Acquah until August 27.
The incident, linked to rising fuel thefts, prompted commendations for police vigilance, with two officers promoted for their role. Investigations continue to apprehend the remaining suspects and address fuel smuggling, which is impacting Ghana’s $2 billion fuel import market.