By A Juvenile and Family Court has remanded Elrad Salifu Amoako, the minor implicated in the East Legon fatal crash that claimed two lives, to a correctional facility.
The 16-year-old faces eight charges, including two counts of manslaughter, three counts of negligently causing harm, and two counts of dangerous driving and driving without a valid license.
Elrad Amoako has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is set to reappear in court on November 7, 2024.
The court has also ordered the submission of his passport to the court’s registry.
The case originates from a tragic accident on October 12, 2024, which led to the deaths of two 12-year-old girls, Maame Dwomoh Boateng and Justine Agbenu.
Assistant State Attorney Ebenezer Yaw Acquah explained that the accused, Elrad Amoako, is a student residing in Adjiriganor, Accra, supported by his father, Elisha Salifu Amoako—founder of Alive Chapel International—his mother, Mouha Amoako, and his older brother, Elyon Amoako.
Mr. Acquah informed the court that despite Elrad Amoako’s young age and lack of a valid driver’s license, his family members often allowed him access to their vehicles and permitted him to drive.
On October 12, 2024, at Elyon’s birthday celebration at an event center in East Legon, Elrad Amoako requested the keys to his mother’s Jaguar F-Pace Sport (GN 7801-20) from a guest, Linda Bonsu Bempah.
The prosecution stated that Bempah, Elyon Amoako’s personal assistant, had been entrusted with the vehicle keys while overseeing the event.
At the party, Elrad Amoako asked Bempah for the keys, which she then handed over to him.
He drove the car to A&C Mall with a friend, where they joined others waiting in two SUVs.
According to the prosecution, the three vehicles formed a convoy, with Elrad Amoako leading in his mother’s car as they drove through the East Legon area.
The court heard that, while driving on Dzane-Ashie Road, Elrad Amoako recklessly attempted to show off the vehicle’s speed, disregarding the presence of other motorists.
The prosecution described how Elrad approached a T-junction at Mensah Wood Avenue at high speed, disregarding road safety.
As he neared the junction, Joseph Ackah, driving an Acura SUV, had slowed down to make a turn.
Elrad collided forcefully with the rear of the Acura, causing both vehicles to veer across the street, crash into a nearby wall, and damage an ECG pole.
The prosecutor recounted the devastating aftermath, stating that both vehicles immediately caught fire, resulting in a fierce blaze.
Elrad managed to escape his car along with his passenger, but Joseph Ackah, the driver of the Acura, and three passengers, including the two 12-year-old girls, were trapped inside.
Despite the efforts of bystanders who rushed to the scene with fire extinguishers, they were unable to quell the flames.
Ackah fought to open his door and leaped into the flames to rescue the toddler and help others.
Volunteers managed to pull the toddler from the burning wreckage and freed her sister from the back seat, but sadly, the two remaining girls could not be saved as the fire grew more intense.
All those rescued, including the accused, were taken to the hospital for various injuries.
The prosecution said that investigations revealed Elrad had driven in a manner far below the standards expected of a competent driver, leading to the tragic incident.
The prosecution revealed that a caution statement was taken from Elrad Amoako, in which he admitted to taking the keys from Linda Bempah, picking up a friend, and driving to the A&C Mall.
Following the incident, the case docket was forwarded to the Office of the Attorney General for review.
The Attorney General recommended charging the accused with two counts of manslaughter, three counts of negligently causing harm, two counts of dangerous driving, and driving without a valid license.
