East Legon Tragedy: Family of Justine Agbenu Criticizes Amoako Family for Insensitivity
The family of Justine Agbenu, one of the two 12-year-old girls tragically killed in a car crash in East Legon, Accra, has accused the Salifu Amoako family of insensitivity in the aftermath of the accident. The 16-year-old son of Bishop Elisha Salifu Amoako of Alive Chapel International was behind the wheel of the Jaguar that caused the fatal crash, sparking widespread calls for accountability.
In an interview with Kofi TV, the grandmother of Justine Agbenu expressed her frustration with how the Amoako family has handled the situation. She strongly urged that the 16-year-old driver and his family face the full extent of the law to serve as a deterrent to others.
“The boy must face the law to the full extent so that it will serve as a deterrent. If not, this trend will continue. Parents should be more responsible,” she said, expressing her grief and disappointment.
Justine Agbenu, who was the only daughter of her parents, was laid to rest on Saturday following a candlelight vigil held in her honor on Friday night. The young girl lost her life when the underage son of Bishop Amoako drove his father’s Jaguar into the vehicle she was riding in with her friend, Maame Dwomoh Boateng, also aged 12, who also died in the crash.
During the interview, Justine’s grandmother also recounted a particularly painful interaction with a representative of the Amoako family. A junior pastor from Bishop Amoako’s church had contacted the family, ostensibly to offer condolences and discuss a visit. However, the grandmother explained that the conversation quickly took an insensitive turn when her son-in-law, who is Justine’s father, told the pastor that the matter was being handled by the police and that a visit was unnecessary. The pastor reportedly responded, “the accident has already happened,” a comment that deeply offended the grieving family.
Shocked by the pastor’s remark, the grandmother decided to sever any further communication with the Amoako family, stating that there was no point in continuing discussions while the case was under police investigation. She reiterated her call for justice, urging that the family and the 16-year-old driver be held accountable for the tragic loss of her granddaughter.
Background
The tragic accident took place on October 12, 2024, when the 16-year-old son of Bishop Elisha Salifu Amoako drove a Jaguar SUV into a Honda Acura, which was carrying Justine Agbenu and Maame Dwomoh Boateng. Both girls lost their lives in the crash.
In the aftermath of the accident, Bishop Salifu Amoako, his wife, Mouha Amoako, and a sales assistant named Linda Bempah were arrested and charged with permitting an unlicensed person to drive. The incident has raised concerns about parental responsibility and road safety, particularly involving underage drivers.
A candlelight vigil was held on October 18, 2024, to honor the lives of Justine Agbenu and Maame Dwomoh Boateng, who were both laid to rest over the weekend. The families of both victims continue to call for justice, hoping that their tragic loss will lead to greater accountability and responsibility on Ghana’s roads.
