A Circuit Court in Ghana has remanded a Nigerian, Okechukwu Augustine Maazi, over his alleged involvement in a plot to rob three banks in the Labone area of Accra.
Augustine was remanded on Monday and is expected to appear before the court again on Wednesday as investigations into the alleged robbery plan continue.
The Ghana Police Service said the suspect was arrested on Thursday after security operatives reportedly foiled an attempt to attack branches of GCB Bank, Ecobank and Zenith Bank in Labone.
According to the police, intelligence was received at about 10:45am on August 13 that a robbery gang was preparing to target the banks.
The police said operatives were immediately deployed to the area, where they allegedly spotted two vehicles suspected to be connected to the planned operation.
One of the vehicles reportedly sped away after its occupants noticed the presence of the police, leading to a pursuit.
The police said officers eventually arrested Augustine, while another occupant of the vehicle escaped.
The occupants of the second vehicle allegedly attempted to flee and engaged the police in a gun battle, during which two suspects were shot dead.
The police subsequently recovered a Toyota Highlander with registration number GS-1434-18, a Hyundai Tucson with registration number GS-7915-17 and a firearm suspected to have been intended for the operation.
The bodies of the two deceased suspects were deposited at a morgue for preservation, identification and autopsy, while Augustine remained in police custody to assist with the investigation.
However, the police account of the incident was later challenged by GCB Bank, which denied that its Labone branch was targeted or attacked.
In a statement, the bank said there was neither a robbery nor an attempted robbery at its Labone branch or anywhere on its premises.
GCB added that the branch was never breached and that no customer, staff member, money or property belonging to the bank was affected.
The bank assured customers that its Labone branch remained secure and operational.
Meanwhile, the alleged robbery case is expected to come up again on Wednesday, with the Ghanaian authorities continuing investigations into the circumstances surrounding the arrest and the deaths of the two suspects.