The Circuit Court 3 in Accra, presided over by Mrs. Susana Eduful, has ordered 10 individuals, including a 17-year-old boy, into prison custody after they were arraigned for unlawful possession of firearms and preparation to commit a violent crime.
The group, aged between 17 and 37, were arrested on August 5, 2025, during a cordon and search operation by the Joint Peace Enforcement Team at Zaabu Zongo, a suburb of Bawku.
They reappeared before the court on Thursday, August 21, 2025.
According to prosecutors, the charges include:
Possession of firearms without lawful authority, contrary to the Arms and Ammunition Act, 1972 (NRCD 9), as amended.
Preparation to commit a crime, specifically offensive conduct likely to cause breaches of the peace, under the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
All the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges. One of them, 19-year-old blacksmith Rauf Naziru, admitted that items recovered during the operation were found in his room but insisted they were not firearms.
He told the court that the 15 M16 empty shells, 7 AK-47 empty shells, and 9 G3 empty shells seized from him were materials he used in producing rings and scrapers.
Others remanded alongside Naziru include Issaka Tijani, 34; Abdulai Sumaila Gatuso, 17, a carpenter; Muniru Abubakarm Naro, 21; Issaka Yakubu, 19; Sulemana Abdul Basit Ayede, 37; Bukari Salifu Monaaba, 34; Yakim Ibrahim, 35; and Adam Hanisu Hanif, 34.
Prosecutor ASP Issah Achibari told the court that investigations were still ongoing and requested that the accused be kept in custody.
He further assured that disclosures would be served on the defense in due course.
The court granted the request and adjourned the case to September 1, 2025.
Background of case
According to police reports, a joint military-police operation on August 5 led to the discovery of ammunition in the possession of RaufNaziru and IssakaTijani.
Both were unable to provide any lawful justification.
The remaining accused were arrested within the same vicinity during curfew hours. Security officers alleged they were gathering without any clear purpose, which raised suspicion given the restrictions in place.
The operation was conducted under the command of Captain D.Z. Mahama.
The accused persons and the recovered items were handed over to the Anti-Armed Robbery Unit on August 6, 2025.
All were subsequently cautioned and detained.
