A self-proclaimed businessman is facing charges at the High Court in Accra for his alleged involvement in a series of high-profile robberies targeting prominent individuals and elites in their homes.
Yahuza Osumanu, the accused, is specifically charged with robbing a 76-year-old woman in Ridge and the wife of a former Vice President, Matilda Yaaba Amissah Arthur.
In the latter case, he is accused of strangling her and repeatedly hitting her head with his gun, resulting in the theft of GH₵28,000, £50, and $2,200.
The prosecution alleges that Osumanu conducted similar robberies using a consistent method on other affluent individuals, stealing valuables amounting to millions of Ghana cedis. Among the items allegedly stolen are two Rolex watches worth $61,000, two Cartier wristwatches worth $19,000, an iPhone 15 Pro Max worth $1,000, and jewelry valued at $50,000, among others.
Furthermore, the prosecution claims that Osumanu used the proceeds from these crimes to acquire luxury vehicles and apartments, including a Toyota FJ Cruiser, Toyota Prado, and Lexus.
On April 16, the Chief State Attorney, Frances M. Ansah, charged Osumanu with 26 counts of robbery and money laundering. Despite pleading not guilty, he has been remanded into prison custody pending his next court appearance on May 2.
The prosecution’s case is supported by details indicating that the Police CID received numerous reports of residential robberies committed by an armed man in areas such as Airport, Cantonments, Tesano, and Ridge during the second quarter of 2023. CCTV footage from Kaeela Courts Apartments, provided by Dr. Abu Sakara Foster, aided in identifying the accused, leading to his arrest in Kasoa on December 15, 2023.
The prosecution maintains that Osumanu’s criminal activities pose a significant threat to the security of the affected communities and that he should be held accountable for his actions.