The Ghana Police Service has made significant progress in the Upper West Region’s law enforcement efforts by successfully obtaining the conviction of Adinan Mahmoud, a notorious armed robber who goes by the alias “Okra.”
Following a meticulously planned intelligence-led operation led by the Regional Police Intelligence Directorate, the 25-year-old criminal was captured on Saturday, May 31, 2025. The police claim that the criminal had long posed a threat to public safety in the area.
The Ghana Police Service’s Public Affairs Unit in Wa released an official statement stating that Okra had been on the police wanted list for a long time due to several armed robbery incidents in the area.
His eventual arrest at his hideout in Sandemuni, a suburb of the Wa Municipality, marked the culmination of extensive surveillance and operational planning by the police.
“On Monday, June 2, 2025, he was arraigned before the Wa Circuit Court, presided over by His Honour Jonathan Avoogo. He pleaded guilty to the charges of conspiracy to commit crime, to wit robbery and robbery and was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment in Hard Labour.”
Assistant Superintendent of Police Michael Toya, Public Affairs Directorate, Upper West Regional Police Command
The police’s statement noted that the sentence is a significant milestone in the fight against organised crime in the region and is expected to serve as a strong deterrent to others involved in similar criminal enterprises.
Pursuit of Justice Continues
Moreover, the police emphasised that while the main suspect has been successfully prosecuted, the pursuit of justice continues for two of his accomplices—Abdulai Ibrahim, also known as Baba, and Abdulai Kipo, who were both arrested in connection with the same case.
Unlike Okra, they pleaded not guilty when they appeared before the same court. As a result, the presiding judge remanded Ibrahim into prison custody and Kipo into police custody, with the case scheduled for continuation on Tuesday, June 3, 2025.
According to the police, the successful conviction of Okra will cause a palpable sense of relief to residents of the Wa Municipality and surrounding communities.
Many had lived in fear due to the series of violent robberies that had plagued the region in recent months. According to the police, the removal of such a dangerous figure from the streets represents a significant step forward in restoring a sense of safety and normalcy to the affected areas.
The Upper West Regional Police Command, in its statement, reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to maintaining peace and order in the region.
In his signed statement, Assistant Superintendent of Police Michael Toya of the Public Affairs Directorate emphasised the Command’s ongoing dedication to rooting out individuals who pose a threat to public security.
He noted that the arrest and conviction of Okra is part of a broader effort to rid the region of violent criminal elements and assure the public that law enforcement remains vigilant and proactive.
The police command is also urging members of the public to continue supporting their efforts by providing credible information that can lead to the arrest and prosecution of other criminals operating in the region.
This collaboration between the police and community members is seen as a vital component in sustaining the gains made through recent operations.
This conviction signals that no criminal, regardless of their notoriety, will evade the long arm of the law and represents a turning point in the region’s crime-fighting strategy.
The police are optimistic that justice will be fully served and that their efforts will continue to promote a safer and more secure Upper West Region as Ibrahim and Kipo’s trials proceed.
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