Supporters of Elisha Salifu Amoako, Founder and General Overseer of Alive Chapel International, caused commotion and violent disturbance at the Accra Circuit Court on Wednesday, October 16, 2024.
The altercation occurred as journalists attempted to report on a court hearing involving Elisha Salifu Amoako, who, along with two others, had been granted bail in connection with a fatal car crash involving his underage son.
The court, presided over by His Honour Samuel Bright Acquah, granted bail to Elisha Salifu Amoako, Mouha Amoako and Linda Bonsu Bempah, each in the sum of GH¢50,000 with two sureties.
The three are facing charges related to an accident on October 12, 2024 which resulted in the death of two 12-year-old children.
Following the hearing, tensions erupted when Elisha Salifu Amoako’s supporters attempted to prevent journalists, who had been accredited by the Judicial Service, from covering the case.
The supporters clashed with members of the press, forcefully seizing a phone from GHOne legal correspondent, Murtala Inusah, who was capturing video footage. Inusah sustained injuries whilst the buttons on his shirt were destroyed.
A reporter from The Chronicle Newspaper was also attacked while attempting to document the scene. Three individuals accosted her, snatched her phone and smashed it on the ground, and threw away her belongings. One assailant punched her in the head, causing an immediate headache.
The attackers continued to harass her, demanding to see her “warrant” for covering the court proceedings.
The matter has since been reported to the Ministries Police Station for further investigation.
They also verbally assaulted Peace FM and UTV correspondent, Philipa Ayilimah Atanga, who is an expectant mother.
In a similar fashion, Court Warrant Officer (CWO), Corporal Mathew Amoah, was attacked by the same group of thugs around 2:30 pm while attempting to calm them down, following an order from Her Honour, Evelyn Asamoah, who was presiding at the time.
The thugs attacked Corporal Amoah, wrongly assuming that he was trying to favour and protect the journalists over their leader.
Earlier, Corporal Amoah had intervened to prevent the group from assaulting members of the press, as the case was being allocated, which had further angered the crowd.
As tensions escalated, one female thug grabbed Corporal Amoah by his uniform, tearing off his buttons, slapping him and leaving him with bruises on his face and chest.
Despite being attacked, the officer did not retaliate and attempted to arrest the woman, but this also enraged the crowd further and they assaulted him.
Corporal Amoah managed to seize the woman’s phone and later presented it as evidence when he reported the incident to the Ministries Police Station. Corporal Amoah was given police medical forms and received treatment at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. Some of the journalists attacked were also given police medical forms to go for treatment.
It has become clear that in the house of justice, injustice is being perpetuated, as this is not the first time journalists have been attacked on court premises.
The security lost control, as these supporters stormed the courtroom in large numbers, making it difficult for the court warrant officer to even close the door.
Case Details
The charges against the accused stem from a tragic incident on October 12, 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 crash resulted in the deaths of 12-year-olds Justine Agbenu and Maame Dwomoh Boateng, who were trapped inside the Acura, which caught fire after the collision. Elrad and two passengers sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment.
The three accused – Elisha and Mouha Amoako, along with Linda Bonsu Bempah – were charged with permitting an unlicensed person to drive.
The court ruled that the accused were not flight risks and allowed them to retain their passports, provided they inform the court before any international travel.
Legal Arguments and Bail Decision
Defense lawyer Eunas Kofi Eshun argued for bail on behalf of the Amoakos, citing their good standing in society and full cooperation with authorities. He emphasised that Elisha Salifu Amoako, a well-known pastor and his wife, Mouha, a Banker, posed no flight risk and that Elisha had serious health concerns requiring medication.
Linda Bonsu Bempah’s lawyer, Selali Woanya, highlighted her stable employment and cooperation with authorities, arguing that she was also not a flight risk.
While the Assistant State Attorney, Ebenezer Yaw Acquah, did not oppose the bail applications, he requested that the accused deposit their passports with the court, a request the judge denied.
The case has been adjourned to October 30, 2024 for the next hearing.
Execution of bail
The accused persons spent an additional night in police custody but were able to post bail on Thursday, October 17.
Judicial statement
Meanwhile the judiciary has issued a statement to condemn attack on the journalists. The following is the full statement. The attention of the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) has been drawn to an unfortunate attack on the Legal Affairs Correspondent of the EIB Network, Mr. Murtala Inusah, Ms. Bernice Bessey and other court reporters by supporters of Prophet Salifu Amoako within the premises of the Accra Circuit Court when Mr. Murtala, Bernice Bessey and other reporters were gathering the footage of the events on Wednesday, 16th October 2024 as part of their usual lawful duties.
Our information is that one of the journalists, Mr. Murtala had his phone damaged in addition to the assault on him. JUSAG has sighted the disturbing pictures and videos of the event with much concern. It clearly shows that Court staff and other users around that time were not safe.
That attack on journalists within the premises of the Court is an assault on the Judiciary and the Justice System. It is an attack on press freedom, and an attack on our democracy. The conduct is unlawful, uncultured and must be condemned in no uncertain terms.
The growing trend of attack on Court staff, users and persons within Court premises is very disturbing. It is time for decisive actions to be taken to curtail the unfortunate practice to guarantee the safety of staff and all persons who come to Court to access justice.
It was our expectations that the Police could have affected immediate arrest of the perpetrators of this attack. Unfortunately, that did not happen. Our understanding is that two of the victims have filed a complaint at the Ministries Police Station in Accra. We wish to urge the Police to expedite actions to ensure that justice is served on Mr. Murtala Inusah, Bernice Bessey and the other Court Correspondents.
One of the victims, Mr. Murtala Inusah is a responsible court correspondent who places the ethics and professionalism in his line of work. It was for this and other reasons why the JUSAG honored him as the best Court Correspondent during the climax of our 50th Anniversary in Cape Coast on the 21st September 2024.
JUSAG wishes Murala, Bernice Bessey and the other court correspondence a speedy recovery. They are assured of our full support in these trying times. We wish to urge the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) and organisations within the media space to take serious interest.
