Fugitive in Manso Akwasiso mining robbery jailed 25 years after four years on the run

A 30-year-old man who evaded arrest for nearly four years after a deadly armed robbery at a mining site in the Ashanti Region has been sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment with hard labour by the Bekwai Circuit Court.

Dominic Ofori, also known as “Fanta”, was convicted on his own plea of guilty to robbery under Section 149 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), in connection with a March 20, 2022 attack on a gold concentrate mining site at Manso Akwasiso.

He was arrested on February 16, 2026, bringing an end to a manhunt that began after the robbery, during which three of his accomplices were shot dead in an exchange of gunfire with the police, according to a police statement issued on Monday, March 2 2026.

On March 20, 2022, the Manso Adubia District Police received intelligence that a group of armed men from Manso Abodom planned to attack a mining site at Manso Akwasiso and steal gold concentrate. The police mounted an operation and laid an ambush at the site.

At about 5:30 p.m., four armed men arrived at the site and opened fire before robbing miners of gold concentrate. Police officers who were on surveillance moved in, leading to a gun battle.

Three of Ofori’s accomplices, Abu Abubakar, Musah Latif and Gideon Takyi, were shot during the exchange. They were later pronounced dead on arrival at St Martin’s Catholic Hospital at Agroyesum. Ofori managed to escape.

After his arrest in 2026, Ofori was put before the Bekwai Circuit Court, where he pleaded guilty and was sentenced accordingly.

The Ashanti South Regional Police Command, which disclosed the conviction, said it would continue efforts to deal with violent crime in the area.

“The Command assures the public of its continued effort to combat violent crimes and bring offenders to justice,” the police said.