Canadian authorities have dismantled a transnational vehicle theft and export syndicate after a two-year investigation that recovered 306 stolen vehicles worth about 25 million Canadian dollars, many destined for West Africa and the Middle East.

Project CHICKADEE, led by the Ontario Provincial Police with the Canada Border Services Agency and other agencies, uncovered a sophisticated network involving freight forwarders, drivers, falsified documents, and complex export routes.

The probe began in August 2023 after four stolen vehicles were recovered in Toronto, revealing links to a broader operation.

Stolen cars were re-identified with altered VINs and shipped through major Canadian ports.

Police intercepted containers in transit and at ports in Montréal, Vancouver, and Halifax. Major raids in October and November 2025 led to the seizure of cash, vehicles, firearms, digital records, and logistics equipment, while 20 suspects were arrested and charged with 134 offences.

Among them is Bismark Owusu-Ansah, a Ghanaian national facing multiple charges. Authorities stressed all accused remain presumed innocent.

Financial intelligence played a key role, with asset forfeiture processes now underway. OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique said auto theft fuels organised crime and community insecurity.

Officials added that stolen vehicle profits often fund firearms, drugs, and other crimes.

Authorities described the operation as a shift toward dismantling entire criminal supply chains, signaling that Canada will no longer serve as a source market for international vehicle theft syndicates.

Attorney General, Dr Dominic Ayine, has stated that he has not received any letter seeking an update on the investigation into the National Democratic Congress (NDC) national organizer, Joseph Yamin, and Abanga, who is the party’s vice chairman.

However, he has indicated that the investigation is still ongoing and the final report will be made public when it is concluded.

Dr Ayine, who was addressing the press, indicated that he has been silent because he does not speak on matters under investigation, adding that the issue involves a number of people and therefore will take time to reach a conclusion.

“I haven’t received any letter. Investigations are ongoing. We do not announce the conclusion of ongoing investigations.

I am not holding brief for EOCO, but a report will be issued by EOCO with regards to the issue. There are a number of people connected to the issue, so the investigations are still ongoing,” he said in part.

Background

The Attorney General, Dr Dominic Ayine, directed the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) to investigate the National Democratic Congress’ National Organizer, Joseph Yamin and its third Vice Chairman, Yakubu Abanga, for their alleged involvement in illegal mining in certain mining districts in the country.

In a letter dated July 15, 2025, the Attorney General instructed EOCO to invite Joseph Yamin and Abanga, whose names had come up in recent reports, for interrogation.

This comes after there have been concerns about the rise of illegal mining months after the John Dramani Mahama government took office.

The Attorney General asked that EOCO treat the issue with all the seriousness it deserves, indicating that this move aligns with President John Dramani Mahama’s Reset Agenda, which seeks to restore discipline to Ghana’s natural resource governance and eliminate illegal mining across the country.

“The President has consistently reiterated his government’s firm commitment to eradicating illegal mining and restoring sanity to the natural resource governance regime in Ghana,” the Attorney General stated.

The letter further empowered EOCO to deal with persons complicit in illegal mining in the report by Prof. Frimpong Boateng’s report on illegal mining.

“The scope of this investigation should include the matters highlighted in Prof. Frimpong Boateng’s report on illegal mining,” the letter said.

Rapper Sarkodie has disclosed that success has cost him several people along the way.

According to him, fame hasn’t got to him as people think, and so they stay away from him just because he is now famous.

Sarkodie made this known when he spoke to Hitz FM in Accra.

“Yes a lot of friends. Certain people, no matter the fact that I have become Sarkodie, think I cannot be Michael.

I want to be Michael, but they think I cannot be, so they change before you. This fame thing is not something that really gets to me. That has never been me, but people think that’s what’s supposed to be so they start to act like you are like that so I lost a couple of people,” he said.

Renowned gospel musician and preacher, Dr. Sonnie Badu, has shared a powerful personal testimony, declaring his firm belief in the reality of God after what he described as a divine encounter that saved his life.

Speaking on the Makosem Show on Ezra FM, Dr. Badu stated that his experience two years ago strengthened his conviction that God exists and is actively involved in human affairs.

According to him, there are moments in life that go beyond human explanation, and such experiences can only be understood through a personal encounter with God.

“If God does not exist, none of us would be here,” he said. “I pray that people will have their own personal encounters with Him. If you have not experienced Him, then you may say anything you want. But I am telling you that God is real, and that is the truth.”

Dr. Badu revealed that two years ago, he believes he narrowly escaped death, an experience he attributes to divine intervention.

“I should have died two years ago,” he recounted. “But I know it was an angel that saved me. That is why I am convinced beyond doubt that God is real.”

He encouraged listeners to seek God earnestly, stressing that in every situation, people should desire a personal encounter with Him.

“When you truly desire to encounter God, He will also encounter you,” he added.

Government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu has provided an update on the Exim Bank loan facility granted to Wontumi Farms, as presented during today’s Government Accountability Studies session led by Dominic Ayine.

According to the Attorney-General, on January 16, 2018, Exim Bank approved a medium-term loan facility of GHC18,734,260.00 following an application by Bernard Antwi Boasiako, chief promoter of Wontumi Farms. The loan included a grant component of GHS 6,768,260.00.

“This offer was accepted via a letter dated January 23, 2018, with Chairman Wontumi acting as the Chief Executive Officer of Wontumi Farms Limited and Thomas Antwi Boasiako serving as director of the company,” the Attorney-General had stated.

The loan approval was subject to the bank’s terms and conditions, with the facility secured against 10,000 acres of Wontumi Farms’ farmland at Asare Nkwanta.

The breakdown of the GHC 18,734,260.00 loan as outlined in the offer letter is as follows: GHS 3,865,000.00 for the purchase of agricultural plant and machinery, GHC 8,101,000.00 for working capital, and the GHC 6,768,260.00 grant designated for staff costs and consultancy fees.

The spokesperson’s update seeks to provide clarity on the structure and purpose of the loan, underscoring that all approvals and conditions were formally documented and legally executed.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Dr Dominic Ayine has announced plans to prosecute Percival Kofi Akpaloo of the Liberal Party of Ghana and two related parties over alleged forgery, stealing and money laundering arising from a COCOBOD feeder roads contract.

Dr Ayine said the case was triggered by a suspicious transaction alert filed by the Financial Intelligence Centre after monitoring activity on an account linked to Pomaa Universal Ghana Limited.

The alert prompted an investigation by the Economic and Organised Crime Office.

Investigators established that the GH¢29 million feeder roads contract, awarded in December 2022, was legitimately granted to Pomaa Universal Ghana Limited owned by Akua Pomaa, with initial payments properly made.

However, authorities later uncovered that a second company with a nearly identical name had been registered and used to receive funds meant for the original contractor.

According to Dr Ayine, eight COCOBOD cheques issued between December 2022 and June 2024, amounting to GH¢3.1 million, were deposited into the account of the duplicate entity.

Akua Pomaa, he said, became aware of the arrangement only after COCOBOD raised concerns about outstanding balances in June 2024.

“The suspects who have been investigated are Percival Kofi Akpaloo, Pomaah Universal (Gh.) Ltd, and Delvine Akpaloo,” the Attorney-General stated, adding that the evidence supports charges of stealing, forgery and money laundering, which his office intends to file in January.

Attorney-General Dr Dominic Ayine has accused Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly called Chairman Wontumi, of submitting a falsified document to Ghana Exim Bank in connection with a loan facility obtained by Wontumi Farms Limited.

Dr Ayine said investigations revealed that a document presented as a receipt for farming and earth-moving equipment valued at GH₵4 million was in fact an altered invoice.

The Economic and Organised Crime Office established that the equipment was never purchased from Kas-Sama Enterprise, despite claims made to the bank.

According to the Attorney-General, the supplier confirmed that no payment was received and that the document retained supply terms inconsistent with a receipt.

“The invoice was simply changed to read ‘receipt’,” Dr Ayine stated.

He said the matter is being treated as a criminal case rather than a contractual dispute, with Wontumi Farms and its directors set to face charges of forgery, defrauding by false pretences and causing financial loss to the state.

Dr Ayine added that the alleged loss to the state, including interest on the facility, amounts to GH₵24,225,735, following what he described as a comprehensive investigation by EOCO.

Pastor Chris Okafor, founder of the Mountain of Liberation and Miracle Ministry, also known as Liberation City, has responded to the ongoing controversy involving Nollywood actress Doris Ogala, stating that the matter is now before the authorities and will be addressed through legal processes rather than public exchanges.

Speaking amid the allegations, the cleric stressed the need for evidence and restraint, indicating that he will not comment extensively while investigations are ongoing.

“Everything you say, you must prove it in the law court. Don’t worry, we are not quiet. We are praying and following the mature way we should follow. The truth will come out,” he said.

Pastor Okafor noted that law enforcement agencies are actively handling the matter, limiting what he can disclose publicly.

“Because the authorities are on it, I can’t say much in public. You will be surprised by the people involved. I received reports, and you will be shocked when you hear who is behind it.”

He added that responding prematurely could compromise investigations and judicial procedures.

“Because it is before the authorities, I will not jeopardize court processes and investigations. He who alleges must provide proof. There are things you don’t reply to.”

The comments follow earlier allegations made by Doris Ogala, who took to Instagram and multiple interviews to accuse the pastor of having an alleged romantic relationship with her prior to her arrest. Ogala framed her claims as part of a spiritual awakening and personal confession.

“I wanted revenge. God gave it to me at the platter of God. God led me to expose this man. I confessed the sins I committed with this man,” she said in a video shared online.

According to the actress, her decision to speak publicly was prompted by what she described as divine instruction.

“God said, my daughter, it is time to confess the sins and atrocities you committed with these people. And my confession is the beginning of my life.”

Ogala further alleged that Pastor Okafor had plans to marry another woman under controversial circumstances, claiming she had evidence to support her assertions.

“Are you guys aware that he had someone he was supposed to marry in 2024? I will post the chart. The girl sent me his naked video.”

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and Acting Minister for Environment has Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah announced the issuance of mining operating permits to the Anwia and Teleku Bokazo Responsible Cooperative Mining Society Ltd, describing the move as a major step toward sustainable and community-focused mining in Ghana.

In a statement shared on social media, Armah-Kofi Buah said the permits were presented under the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP), marking what he described as a “definitive shift toward sustainable and community-centric development mining.”

“Yesterday marked a definitive shift toward sustainable and community-centric development mining as the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) officially presented mining operating permits to the Anwia and Teleku Bokazo Responsible Cooperative Mining Society Ltd,” he stated in a post sighted by MyNewsGh.

According to the minister, the two communities have become the first beneficiaries of the initiative, which is designed to promote responsible resource management while empowering local communities.

“These two communities, Anwia and Teleku-Bokazo, are the first beneficiaries of this groundbreaking programme, which embodies our commitment to responsible resource management, local empowerment, and equitable growth,” he said.

He explained that the milestone was achieved following negotiations led by the ministry with Adamus Mining Limited, which resulted in the release of land for community-based mining activities.

“This achievement follows successful negotiations, facilitated by the Ministry, with Adamus Mining Limited to release the site for community-based mining,” the statement added.