Just moments after the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, withdrew charges against Bishop Elisha Salifu Amoako, Moha Amoako, and Linda Bempah , the police rearrested them, sparking fresh legal developments.
Elisha Salifu Amoako, Moha Amoako, and Linda Bempah had been facing charges of permitting an unlicensed person to drive.
The charges stemmed from a fatal crash on October 12, 2024, when 16-year-old Elrad Amoako, the unlicensed son of Elisha Salifu Amoako, allegedly drove a Jaguar F-Pace SUV into the rear of an Acura 4×4 vehicle.
The accident resulted in the deaths of 12-year-olds Justine Agbenu and Maame Dwomoh Boateng after the Acura caught fire.
Elrad and two passengers sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment.
At the Circuit Court, Accra today, a state attorney representing the Attorney-General’s office made an oral application to withdraw the charges, explaining that a review of the case documents necessitated further police investigations.
“After studying the document, it has been deemed necessary to allow the police to conduct further investigations to determine the direction the prosecution should take. As such, we are before you this morning to withdraw the charge sheet against the three accused persons,” the prosecutor submitted.
Defense lawyer Eunas Kofi Eshun, holding brief for the Amoakos, did not oppose the withdrawal but had initially hoped for a nolle prosequi (a formal declaration by the prosecution to discontinue the case).
“If the prosecutor wishes to withdraw charges preferred against the accused persons, we have no objections,” Eshun stated.
Selali Woanyo, representing Linda Bempah, also appeared in court but apologized for his late arrival.
The presiding judge, Samuel Bright Acquah ruled in favor of the Attorney-General’s request, stating, “If the AG that brought the case is now praying for the withdrawal, and the counsel for the accused persons are in support of it, the court has nothing to do. The prayer for the A-G is granted, and the matter is struck out as withdrawn. The accused persons are discharged.”
Immediate Rearrest
Despite their discharge, police officers were waiting outside the courtroom and swiftly rearrested Salifu Amoako, Moha Amoako, and Linda Bempah.
The basis for the rearrest remains unclear, but sources indicate that authorities may be considering additional charges following the Attorney-General’s call for further investigations.
Legal Battle and Bail Considerations
Before the case was withdrawn, the court had ruled that the accused were not flight risks and allowed them to retain their passports, provided they informed the court before any international travel.
Defense lawyers had argued for bail, citing their clients’ strong community ties and cooperation with authorities. Eshun highlighted that Elisha Salifu Amoako, a well-known pastor, and his wife, Moha, a banker, posed no flight risk, especially given Elisha’s health concerns.
Linda Bempah’s lawyer, Selali Woanyo, also emphasized her stable employment and cooperation with authorities.
Assistant State Attorney Ebenezer Yaw Acquah did not oppose the bail applications but requested that the accused deposit their passports with the court—a request that was denied.
