The Kwadaso Circuit Court in Kumasi has directed that a 26-year-old man undergo a psychiatric evaluation after he was accused of stealing a police armoured vehicle at Nkawie.
The presiding judge, Jephtha Appau, issued the order on Monday, May 4, 2026, without stating specific reasons.
The decision followed shortly after the accused, Ebenezer Frimpong, entered a not guilty plea to a charge of stealing under Section 124(1) of the Criminal Offences Act.
During an earlier court appearance on April 17, 2026, Frimpong made an unusual appeal. He asked the judge to help him join the Ghana Police Service and also pleaded for leniency as the charges were read to him.
Frimpong, who is unemployed, lives in Antwi Agyei Nkwanta in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region. Officers from the Police Motor Traffic and Transport Department and the SWAT Unit arrested him on April 14, 2026.
According to Police Prosecutor Albert Asagre, the incident began earlier that same day. General Lance Corporal Joshua Denkyi had been assigned to drive an armoured police vehicle with registration number GP 1131 to a workshop for servicing.
While on the way, the officer reportedly felt unwell and stopped near the Nkawie market to buy medicine from a pharmacy.
During that short break, he allegedly saw the vehicle being driven away by the accused toward the Abuakwa–Kumasi road.
The situation quickly drew attention, and officers raised an alarm. Personnel from the MTTD and SWAT units responded swiftly and tracked the suspect. They eventually arrested him in a dramatic operation at Mim, close to Abuakwa.
Frimpong has denied the charge in court. Judge Appau has ordered that he remain in custody while he undergoes a psychiatric assessment. The court expects him to return on May 18, 2026.
