A circuit court in Kumasi has ordered a psychiatric evaluation for a 26-year-old man accused of stealing a police armoured vehicle at Nkawie in the Ashanti Region.
The order was issued on Monday, May 4, by presiding judge Jephtha Appau at the Kwadaso Circuit Court, shortly after the accused, Ebenezer Frimpong, pleaded not guilty to a charge of stealing under Section 124(1) of the Criminal Offences Act.
Although no reason was given in court for the psychiatric assessment, the directive followed Frimpong’s earlier plea during his first appearance on April 17, where he asked the judge to help him enlist in the Ghana Police Service and appealed for leniency.
According to the prosecution, led by Albert Asagre, the incident occurred on April 14, when a police driver, General Lance Corporal Joshua Denkyi, was transporting an armoured vehicle (registration number GP 1131) to a workshop for servicing.
The officer reportedly stopped near Nkawie market after developing a stomach upset and stepped out to buy medication. During that time, the accused allegedly drove off with the vehicle toward the Abuakwa–Kumasi stretch.
An alarm was raised, leading to a joint operation by personnel from the Police Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) and the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit. The suspect was eventually arrested at Mim, near Abuakwa.
Frimpong has been remanded into custody and is expected to reappear in court on May 18, 2026, after undergoing the psychiatric evaluation.
