East Legon Crash: Bishop Salifu Amoako,Two others re-arrested after dropped charges

State prosecutors have withdrawn charges against Bishop Elijah Salifu Amoako, leader of Alive Chapel International, his wife, and a sales assistant who were previously accused of allowing their underage son to drive without a valid license.

During court proceedings on February 17, 2025, the prosecution informed Judge Samuel Bright Acquah that further investigations were required, leading to the dismissal of the charges. 

Consequently, the court struck out the case, freeing Bishop Amoako, his wife Mouha, and Linda Bonsu Bempah. However, shortly after their release, law enforcement officers re-arrested them.

Case Background

The three had been facing legal action for allegedly permitting a minor to operate a vehicle unlawfully.

The incident stemmed from a crash involving their teenage son, who was driving a white Jaguar F-Pace Sports without a driver’s license. The vehicle collided with an Acura utility car, which caught fire, tragically resulting in two fatalities.

Despite pleading not guilty, each of the accused was granted bail set at GH₵50,000, with two sureties per person.

Meanwhile, their son was convicted by an Accra Juvenile and Family Court after admitting to multiple offenses, including manslaughter, reckless driving, negligent conduct leading to harm, and operating a vehicle without a license. He was sentenced to six months in a juvenile correctional facility.

The Incident

Prosecution records indicate that Bishop Amoako and his wife are the parents of 16-year-old Elrad Amoako, who resides with his mother in Accra.

On October 12, 2024, during a birthday celebration for Elrad’s older brother, Elyon Amoako, their sales assistant, Linda, allegedly handed Elrad the key to his mother’s Jaguar F-Pace, despite knowing he was underage and unlicensed.

Elrad then took the vehicle out for a drive, accompanied by his friend Prince Tijani, along Dzanie Ashie Street toward Bawleshie. Upon reaching the Mensah Wood Avenue junction, he crashed into the back of an Acura utility vehicle with registration number GR 2524-23.

The force of the collision sent both vehicles hurtling into a nearby wall before bursting into flames. Tragically, two 12-year-old passengers in the Acura, Justine Agbenu and Maame Dwomoh Boateng, were trapped inside and lost their lives in the fire.