East Legon Accident: 16-year-old remanded, ordered to surrender American and Ghanaian passports

A 16-year-old boy accused of causing a deadly accident in East Legon has been charged with manslaughter and ordered to surrender his American and Ghanaian passports. 

The juvenile, who cannot be named for legal reasons, allegedly drove his mother’s car without a license. He faces eight charges, including manslaughter, negligently causing harm, dangerous driving, and driving without a license. 

Appearing before the Family and Juvenile Court in Accra today, he pleaded not guilty. The court remanded him to a correctional facility and required him to hand over his American and Ghanaian passports. He is scheduled to reappear in court on November 7, 2024.

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Prosecution’s case

Assistant State Attorney Ebenezer Yaw Acquah laid out the facts, stating that despite the accused’s age and lack of a valid driver’s license, his family routinely allowed him access to their cars. On October 12, 2024, during a birthday party thrown by his family, the teenager reportedly asked Linda Bonsu Bempah for the keys to his mother’s Jaguar F-Pace Sport, which she provided. Linda is a personal assistant to Elyon Amoako and during her duties supervising events at the party, had been given the keys to hold on to.

According to the prosecution, the boy and a friend drove to A&C Mall in East Legon, where they met others in two SUVs. The cars formed a convoy, led by the accused in the Jaguar. On Dzane-Ashie Road, the accused allegedly accelerated recklessly, eventually colliding with an Acura at a T-junction on Mensah Wood Avenue. 

“The 16-year-old rammed into the rear of the Acura; the collision was violent and destructive, propelling both vehicles across the street and smashing into the wall of the house opposite the junction, destroying an ECG pole in the process,” recounted Mr. Acquah.

Tragic consequences

Both cars caught fire immediately. While the accused and his passenger managed to escape, the occupants of the Acura were trapped. Despite bystanders’ attempts to extinguish the flames, the intense blaze ultimately claimed the lives of two young passengers in the Acura.

Investigations revealed that the accused had driven in a manner that “fell way below what was expected of any competent and careful driver,” putting other road users at significant risk.

The case has drawn significant public attention.