The Ghana Gold Board (GB), in collaboration with the National Security, has arrested 25 individuals, including several foreign nationals, for their alleged involvement in illegal gold trading, smuggling, and assaying activities in parts of Accra.
The arrests, conducted between 5th and 6th November 2025, followed weeks of intelligence-led surveillance and coordinated enforcement operations aimed at curbing illicit gold activities and promoting accountability within Ghana’s gold value chain.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Ghana Gold Board Head Office in Accra, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) Richard Nunekpeku said the suspects were apprehended in two separate operations, one at Dome Pillar 2 and the other at Achimota-Akweteman.
“In the first operation, five suspects, four Indian nationals and one Ghanaian, were arrested for fabricating and trading gold without a valid license, contrary to Section 23(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) and Sections 26(3) and (5) of the Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140),” Mr. Nunekpeku stated.
The suspects have been identified as Bhaskar Jashu, Manog Mal, Susajit Senti, Sardar Prennath, and Victoria Minkah.
According to the DCEO, the Goldbod Intelligence Unit discovered that the suspects were refining gold illegally in a jewelry shop located at Dome Pillar 2.
“A joint team comprising GB investigators and National Security SWAT operatives arrested four of the suspects at the scene around 4:19 p.m. Items retrieved included 26 pieces of GRA emerald stones, 19 gold rings, six yellowish metal pieces suspected to be gold, a CCTV decoder, and several mobile phones,” he said.
A locked safe was also discovered on the premises. During interrogation, the suspects disclosed that they worked for Bhaskar Jashu, owner of Mahalaxmi Ghana Limited. Mr. Jashu later turned himself in with the key to the safe, which, when opened, contained GHS 22,670, multiple gold ornaments, and three gold bars.
An assay conducted on 7th November 2025 confirmed the authenticity of the gold bars, with an estimated market value of GHS 453,032.73.
Investigations are ongoing, with authorities extending the probe to the company’s secondary locations and financial records.
In a related operation on 6th November 2025, the GB Task Force and National Security operatives raided the premises of Legend Precious Metal, located at Achimota-Akweteman, following intelligence that the company was engaged in illegal gold smelting, assaying, and cross-border trading.
The joint team arrested 20 suspects, including both Ghanaian and foreign nationals. Recovered exhibits included eight metal bars suspected to be gold, purchase and sale agreements, assaying reports, receipts, and cash totaling $112,500 and GHS 64,014.
Two suspects, Clement Agbaglo and Emmanuel McAddy, were found in possession of sidearms, which were confiscated. Preliminary investigations revealed that Legend Precious Metal was not licensed by the Ghana Gold Board to conduct assaying or smelting operations.
Further checks uncovered evidence of illegal gold trading through Togo and a fraud scheme allegedly orchestrated by the company’s management, led by Gabriel Sewornu, to dupe unsuspecting investors.
The arrested individuals includes, Gabriel Sewornu (Ghanaian, CEO of Legend Precious Metal), Lucia Al Yaziji (Former Belarusian Diplomat and Lawyer), Duncan Finlay Macinnes (British Investment Banker), Erik Manuel Belloran (American Former Serviceman), Demian Perrone (Argentine), Domenic Vasiljkovic and Panagiotis Jordanidis (Swedish Nationals), Alex Ivanov (Russian National)
Several Ghanaians: Emmanuel McAddy, Kwesi Opare, Gilbert Nordzro, Magdalene Etwude Yeboah, Charles Ohemeng, Francis Atta, Michael Narh, Steve Hanson, Clement Agbaglo, Haruna Adams, Jerry Nananu Gli, and Chris Atsitsogbe.
All suspects are currently assisting law enforcement agencies with investigations, which have since been extended to their residences and business premises.
Source: Myxyzonline.com
