Salifu Amoako’s son remanded again

The 16-year-old son of Bishop Salifu Amoako involved in a fatal car crash at East Legon that led to the deaths of two people has been remanded once again.

Elrad Amoako, who is facing charges that include eight counts of manslaughter, negligent harm, dangerous driving, and driving without a license, was initially remanded after his court appearance last Friday. He pleaded not guilty to these charges during his first appearance before the Family and Juvenile Court.

It remains unclear whether the juvenile has been sent to a correctional facility or placed in the custody of his parents, in accordance with section 23 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2003 (ACT 653).

The hearing was not open to the public, according to Graphic Online. This provision allows a juvenile court to commit a minor to the care of a parent, guardian, close relative, or other responsible person, or to remand the juvenile to a nearby remand home if not released on bail.

The case has been adjourned until November 13.

According to Assistant State Attorney Ebenezer Yaw Acquah, although underage and without a valid driver’s license, the juvenile’s family regularly allowed him access to their vehicles.

On October 12, 2024, the family held a birthday celebration for him at an event center in East Legon. During the event, the juvenile requested the keys to his mother’s Jaguar F-Pace from Linda Bonsu Bempah, who, as his personal assistant, was holding the keys while overseeing the event. Linda handed him the keys, and he took the car to A&C Mall with a friend, where they met other friends waiting in two SUVs.

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The prosecutor explained that the three vehicles formed a convoy, with the accused leading in his mother’s Jaguar. At one point along Dzane-Ashie Road, despite other vehicles nearby, the juvenile accelerated rapidly to display the car’s speed, driving recklessly toward a T-junction at Mensah Wood Avenue.

He reached the junction as an Acura driven by Joseph Ackah was slowing to make a turn. The prosecutor stated that the accused “rammed into the rear of the Acura,” causing a violent collision that propelled both cars across the road and into a wall, damaging an ECG pole. Both cars immediately caught fire, quickly turning into a raging blaze. The juvenile and his passenger managed to escape, but those in the Acura were trapped.

Ackah had been driving his employer’s two daughters—one a toddler—and their two friends, both 12 years old. Witnesses attempted to extinguish the flames but could not contain the fire. Ackah forced his door open, falling into the flames before bystanders could drag him to safety.

One of the volunteers rescued the toddler from the burning car, while others freed her sister from the back seat. Sadly, despite attempts, the two other girls could not be saved as the fire intensified.

The prosecutor added that the investigation revealed the accused was driving recklessly, endangering the lives of others on the road. The juvenile admitted to taking the keys from Linda Bempah and driving with his friend to the A&C Mall.