News
Police arrest six suspects in Juaso robbery and gang rape case
The Ashanti South Regional Police Command has arrested six people believed to be part of a robbery and gang rape group operating in Juaso in the Ashanti Region, the Ghana Police Service has disclosed.
The suspects, identified by police as David Adusah, also known as Vibes; Samuel Amantor, known as Road; Andrew Odei, also called Salinco; Sharif Mohammed, known as Isco; Joseph Addo, also called Moves; and Chidi Arinze, known as Orga Happiness, were arrested on January 8, 2026, following what police described as an intelligence led operation.
According to the Police Service, a search conducted at their residences led to the retrieval of 49 mobile phone covers, a bayonet case, a green dress resembling a military uniform, and a photograph showing the alleged leader of the group dressed in military style camouflage.
Police also retrieved and impounded a Toyota RAV4 vehicle believed to have been used by the suspects during their operations.
Police indicated that during interrogation, the suspects admitted their involvement in the reported cases.
The Service further stated that the suspects were put before a court on January 12, 2026, and remanded into lawful custody to reappear on January 28, 2026, to allow investigators to complete their work.
The Ghana Police Service assured the public that investigations are ongoing and that all persons found culpable will be made to face the full rigours of the law.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Minister for Government Communications, Felix Ofosu Kwakye, has dismissed claims that staff salaries at the Presidency have increased under the current administration, describing the allegation as a “flat lie”.
In a response to a post on Facebook, Ofosu Kwakye said the current staff at the Presidency inherited the same salaries and conditions approved for their predecessors.
He argued that once arrears owed to former Article 71 office holders are paid, the total wage bill for the current administration will actually be lower due to a reduction in staff numbers.
“It is in fact a mathematical certainty that the total amount paid in salaries to the current staff will be smaller compared to yours once your arrears are paid because of the reduction in numbers,” he stated.
The Minister noted that delays in paying arrears to past Article 71 office holders are not new.
“Arrears owed to past Article 71 office holders is nothing new or unheard of. Many others before you have suffered same,” he said.
Ofosu Kwakye also stressed that the salaries and conditions in question were approved by Parliament on 6th January 2025, under the previous government.
He pointed out that the Constitution bars any changes to those salaries until a new committee is set up to determine emoluments for Article 71 office holders under the new administration.
“No such committee has been set up by President Mahama and no alteration has been made,” he clarified.
“So on what basis, apart from pure lies and mischief, can a claim of ballooning be made?” he concluded.
The response follows public debate over the size and cost of the presidential staff, with critics alleging a spike in the wage bill.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi and the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, has initiated plea negotiations with the Attorney General’s office in the GH₵30 million Exim Bank fraud case.
Information available to ghanaiantimes.com.gh indicates that lawyers for Bernard Antwi Boasiako aka Chairman Wontumi & 2 other accused have formally written to the Attorney General to enter into plea negotiations on the charges of defrauding by false pretenses, money laundering, and intentionally causing financial loss to a public body.
A plea bargain, under Section 162C of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) (Amendment) Act, 2022 (Act 1079), allows an accused person to plead guilty to lesser charges in exchange for a reduced sentence.
The agreement must be approved by the court after the Attorney General assesses factors such as the strength of evidence, recovery of state funds, and public interest.
Wontumi is facing four counts after his arrest by the Economic and Organised Crime Office in May 2025.
Prosecutors allege he used forged documents to secure a GH₵30 million facility from the Ghana Export-Import Bank to finance equipment for his mining company, Akonta Mining Ltd.
The state further charges him with money laundering and causing financial loss to the state.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and was granted GH₵50 million bail with two sureties. The case is currently before the Accra High Court.
The Attorney General’s office is yet to confirm whether negotiations will proceed.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
