Police insists Salifu Amoako’s son is in custody at Osu

The Ghana Police Service has denied reports that the 16-year-old son of popular Christian leader, Bishop Salifu Amoako, charged with manslaughter is not in custody despite a Court order he should be placed on remand.

“Following the Court’s order on 1st November 2024, suspect Elrad Salifu Amoako, was taken to the Osu Correctional Centre, where he remains as of this morning.

“We, therefore, wish to state that this claim is false and constitutes the offence of Publication of false news, contrary to section 208 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29)”, an official statement issued by the Police Service on Tuesday noted.

The statement noted further that Police have so far identified two social media accounts; a TikTok user with the handle “prisywanlov1” and a Facebook user with the handle “EmpressPapa A-Amigos,” in connection with the false publication, and investigations are underway to establish the individuals behind these accounts for them to face justice.

“We find it deeply unfortunate that a tragic incident resulting in the loss of two beautiful souls is being exploited by some individuals in an unGhanaian manner to draw attention to themselves. We urge the public to refrain from such actions and allow the families to grieve in peace”, the Police statement noted.

The Ghana Police Service confirmed last week that the suspect driver, Elrad Salifu Amoako, was put before the Accra Juvenile and Family Court on Friday November 1, 2024, on eight counts including the offence of Manslaughter.

He pleaded not guilty but was subsequently remanded by the Court to a Correction Centre to reappear on 7th November 2024

The Court further ordered that Elrad Salifu Amoako travelling documents; his Ghanaian and US passports are to be surrendered and deposited at the court by Monday, November 4.

He is also to undergo a medical review at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) to address any health considerations that may arise while he is in remand.

He is to be sent to the Police Hospital in the event of any urgent medical issue during the period of remand.

Soon after the accident occurred, the suspect’s father; Bishop Salifu Amoako noted in public that his son has not used a gun to kill anyone so Ghanaians should tone down on the public outcry and backlash.

“My son did not carry a gun to kill anybody. He involved himself in a terrible accident, and I am not the one who did it, nor his mother. It is my name, that is why people are talking,” Bishop Salifu Amoako noted in an address to his church members on Sunday, exactly a day after the burial of one of the two killed girls.

Bishop Salifu Amoako noted further: “If this had been an Okada [motorcycle] accident, who would mention it? It’s only because of my name,” he added, urging people to stop talking and trust that “the Lord will intervene.”

His comments did not gone down well with a section of the public and it seems to have rather heightened the backlash.

Bishop Salifu Amoako, in his address to the congregation of his church, expressed his disapproval over reports that some of them physically attacked and assaulted journalists who were at the courts on official duty when he appeared before the courts over the accident case.

“Control yourselves, ACI family, I urge you to have self-control. Some of you came to the court to disgrace me there. You didn’t behave wisely. You have added more battles to my battles already. What you came to do at the court is very disgraceful. You shouldn’t have done that.

“Do you know the damage you have done in my life? Now I am fighting what has happened to me and the media is fighting me. The case is now in the court. We don’t go to court to fight, but we go there to interpret the law”, he noted

“Some of you were lucky that you were not arrested. Some of you went there to mess up. By now, you should be in jail. I have not called you to come and fight for me. Now listen to me, I have not called you to come and fight for me,” Bishop Salifu Amoako stated.