The 16-year-old son of Bishop Salifu Amoako has been convicted and sentenced to serve a six-month punishment at the Senior Correctional Center for manslaughter.
The convict who had earlier pleaded not guilty, to eight counts – which comprised two counts of manslaughter, three counts of negligently causing harm, two counts of dangerous driving, and a count of driving without a valid license.
But, changed his plea to guilty.
The Juvenile Court in Accra presided over by Her Worship Bernice Mensimah Ackon convicted him on his own plea and sentenced him to six months – the highest punishment prescribed by the Juvenile Justice Act, for a juvenile offender for manslaughter.
As part of his sentencing, the court said he is to sign an undertaking not to drive until he turns 18 years old as per the laws of Ghana.
Again, the juvenile is to report to Probation Officers periodically every Friday and his punishment is to start immediately.
Meanwhile, his father Bishop Salifu Amoako, and mother Mouha Amoako have both been fined 500 penalty units each which is equivalent to (GHc6k each) for failing to control their son.
The Court also ordered Bishop Salifu Amoako to pay for the damages of properties destroyed including a light pole valued over GHc8,000.
Background.
The 16-year-old boy faced manslaughter charges following a fatal car accident in East Legon, Accra, that claimed two lives. The juvenile, whose name is protected by law, pleaded not guilty to eight charges, including manslaughter, dangerous driving, and driving without a license and insurances at his first appearance in court in November. He was remanded into custody with his passports seized.
The prosecution detailed how the teenager, despite lacking a driver’s license, gained access to his mother’s car during a family birthday party. He and a friend drove off, subsequently meeting up with friends and forming a convoy.
The accident occurred when the teenager, driving at excessive speed, collided with another vehicle at a T-junction.
The collision resulted in a fire that engulfed both cars. While the teenager and his passenger escaped, two young girls in the other vehicle tragically perished in the blaze. The driver of the other car was rescued along with one of the girls.
The investigation concluded that the teenager’s reckless driving was the cause of the accident. The teenager admitted to taking the car keys, driving with a friend, and going to the A&C mall before the fatal collision.
