Prophet Salifu, 2 others granted GH¢150,000 bail

The parents of the 16-year-old boy who rammed his car into another one at East Legon, killing two people as a result, have been admitted to bail in the sum of GH¢ 50,000 each with two sureties after being arraigned before an Accra Circuit Court yesterday.

Elisha Salifu Amoako, who is the founder and General Overseer of Alive Chapel International, and his wife, who were arrested last Tuesday following the accident, were charged and consequently arraigned before the court.

The couple and a third person, have been charged with one count of permitting unlicensed person to drive contrary to Regulation 42 of the Road Traffic Regulations 2012 Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2180.

The third accused, Linda Bonsu Bempah, a sales assistant at a shop owned by the elder brother of the 16-year-old boy, has been accused of giving the key to the 16-year-old boy and was, therefore, charged.

Admission

The prosecution, led by Ebenezer Yaw Acquah, said the parents admitted during investigations that they allowed their son to drive the vehicle to the gym.

The accused persons have, however, denied the charges and their case has been adjourned.

Prosecution’s facts

Per the facts accompanying the charge sheet, on October 12, this year, while celebrating the 25th birthday of his elder brother, Elyon Amoako, Bempah gave the key to the vehicle to the 16-year-old knowing very well that he was a minor and did not have a driver's licence.

The 16-year-old boy then drove the said vehicle with his friend, heading towards the Bawaleshie direction on the Dzanie Ashie Street.

“The parents admitted during investigations that they allowed their son, Elrad Amoako, to drive to the gym, within their neighbourhood and to other places,” the prosecutor told the court.

“On reaching a section of the road at Mensah Wood Avenue junction, he drove into the rear of an Acura 4x4 vehicle with registration number GR2542-23.

“The impact propelled both vehicles across the road into a wall of a nearby house. Both vehicles caught fire and got burnt beyond recognition,” the prosecution said.

The prosecutor added that two occupants of the Acura, both 12 years of age - were trapped in the vehicle and died in the fire.

The 16-year-old and two of the other two occupants of the Acura who were injured, according to the prosecution, were currently on admission at the University of Ghana Medical Centre.