Court adjourns case of Salifu Amoako, two others to February 17

The trial of Elijah Salifu Amoako and his wife, Mouha, who are facing charges for permitting their underage son to drive without a license, has been postponed to February 17.

During a hearing at an Accra Circuit Court on Monday, discussions between the defense counsel and the state attorney led to the adjournment.

Bishop Amoako, the leader of Alive Chapel International, his wife Mouha, and a sales assistant, Linda Bonsu Bempah, were taken into custody following a fatal accident involving their 16-year-old son, Elrad. The incident occurred on October 12, 2024, in East Legon, where Elrad allegedly caused a collision that claimed the lives of two young girls.

The three accused individuals have been charged with permitting an unlicensed driver to operate a vehicle.

The charges stem from an accident where Elrad, without a valid driver’s license, drove a white Jaguar F-Pace Sports SUV. He reportedly crashed into an Acura utility vehicle, which then ignited, resulting in the tragic deaths of two individuals.

All three accused have entered pleas of not guilty and were granted bail set at GH¢50,000 each, along with two sureties per person.

Meanwhile, Elrad was sentenced to six months in juvenile detention after pleading guilty to multiple charges, including manslaughter, dangerous driving, and driving without a license. He is currently serving his sentence at the Senior Correctional Home.

According to court documents presented before Judge Samuel Bright Acquah, Bishop Amoako and his wife, Mouha, are the parents of Elrad, who resides with his mother in Accra.

On the day of the accident, during a celebration for Elrad’s older brother, Elyon Amoako, Linda, the third accused, reportedly handed the teenager the keys to Mouha’s Jaguar F-Pace SUV, despite knowing he was underage and unlicensed.

The prosecution detailed that Elrad, accompanied by his friend, Prince Tijani, drove the SUV toward Bawleshie on Dzanie Ashie Street. As they neared the Mensah Wood Avenue junction, the teenager collided with the rear of an Acura utility vehicle with registration number GR 2524-23.

The impact sent both vehicles off the road, slamming into a nearby house before bursting into flames. Tragically, the two passengers in the Acura, identified as 12-year-olds Justine Agbenu and Maame Dwomoh Boateng, were trapped inside and perished in the fire.

Elrad and two others sustained injuries and were transported to the University of Ghana Medical Centre for treatment.

Investigators later discovered that Bishop Amoako and his wife had previously allowed their son to drive within their neighborhood, including trips to the gym.