An Accra Circuit Court has, for the second time, refused bail to seven individuals, including a military officer, accused of robbing a fuel tanker driver. Presided over by Mr Samuel Bright Acquah, the Court ordered the accused persons to reappear on August 27, 2025, for a ruling on their remand status. Corporal Bernard Bortey, the military officer at the centre of the case, allegedly conspired with two other suspects, Raphel Amartey and Arhin, who are currently at large, to siphon fuel for sale. He denied the charge, while the other accused persons — Mark Abito, Ganiu Abdulai, Atiiga Barnabas, Awini Ibrahim, Muniru Ayibo, and Shaibu Adams — also pleaded not guilty to abetment. Police say more suspects linked to the case are still on the run.
Prosecuting, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Issah Achiburi told the Court that on August 6, 2025, the complainant, Jerry Kwaw, a driver with Petroland Limited, was transporting fuel from Tema to Kumasi when Bortey and four others trailed his tanker. At Pampaso Number One in the Eastern Region, the suspects allegedly intercepted the vehicle, held the driver and his mate at gunpoint, handcuffed them, and forced them into a green pickup truck with registration number GX 2881-22.
ASP Achiburi explained that the tanker was driven to the PACIFIC Fuel Station at Bunso Junction, where the fuel was siphoned. The following day, police at Ablekuma Borkorborkor arrested Bortey, who was in military uniform, after the victims raised an alarm. Further investigations led to the arrest of other suspects at Bunso Junction, where they were allegedly caught transferring diesel into another tanker with registration number GN 804-13. Both tankers were impounded as part of the ongoing investigation.
He added that the robbery was premeditated, involving two vehicles used by the suspects to monitor and intercept the tanker. During interrogation, Bortey allegedly admitted to his role in the operation. The Court has since ordered the release of the recovered tanker and its fuel for safety purposes while the case continues.
