Soldier charged for allegedly stealing cattle at Binduri

A Military person stationed in the Upper East Region has been accused of aiding and stealing cattle at Binduri, a suburb of Bawku.

Private Blessing Owusu Marfo, a soldier with the 11 Mechanized Battalion at Abilba Barracks, in Bolgatanga, is currently at large and facing charges of abetment to commit crime and stealing, an Accra Circuit Court has heard.

When the case was called at Circuit Court 6 in Accra, presided over by His Honour Kwabena Kodua Obiri-Yeboah, only the first accused, Sabali Issaka, was present. Issaka pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The court granted Issaka bail in the sum of GH¢30,000 with two sureties, all of whom must be his cousins. The prosecution, led by DSP Emmanuel Nyamekye, was directed to file all disclosures. The case was subsequently adjourned to March 13, 2026.

Private Marfo, listed as the second accused, remains on the run.

According to the charge sheet, Marfo is facing one count of abetment to commit crime, namely stealing, contrary to Sections 23(1) and 124(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29). The particulars allege that on December 30, 2025, at Binduri, he agreed to act together with a common purpose to commit a crime, specifically stealing.

On the second count of stealing, contrary to Section 124(1) of Act 29, both Sabali Issaka, 32, and Private Marfo are accused of dishonestly appropriating five cattle belonging to Anaba Maxwell and Akudango Avam.

Presenting the facts, the prosecution said the complainants, Anaba Maxwell, a teacher, and Akudango Avam, a farmer, are residents of Binduri near Bawku. On December 30, 2025, their cattle, numbering about 20, were taken out to graze around the Binduri Dam.

However, upon the animals’ return, the complainants discovered that five of the cattle were missing. A search party was organised, but efforts to trace the animals proved unsuccessful.

The prosecution said that on January 4, 2026, the complainants received information that police officers at the Kabore Checkpoint had intercepted a KIA truck with registration number GR 4851-X.

The vehicle, loaded with cattle, suspected to be stolen, was escorted to the Zebilla Police Station for further investigation.

At the station, the complainants reportedly identified their five missing cattle among the animals retrieved by the police.

Further investigations, the court heard, led to the arrest of Sabali Issaka for his alleged involvement in the incident.

Police say investigations are ongoing, while efforts continue to locate Private Marfo.