The grandmother of one of the two 12-year-olds who died in the East Legon accident of October 12, 2024, has spoken to the media.

She granted an interview while at home to Kofi TV, during which she confirmed Justine Agbenu, as reports online had suggested, Justine was the only child of her parents.

On the fateful day

She said Justine and her friends “went for a friend’s party and were returning” when the accident happened at the Mensah Wood Avenue T-junction, East Legon, Accra.

“Saturday morning, she rose and prepared her own breakfast – she was excited because a friend of the family had brought her things from Canada,” the old woman in mourning clothes noted.

“She and Maame Dwomoh were students of Corner Stone Academy.”

Justice

She asserted the 16-year-old Elrad Salifu Amoako identified by police as the suspect driver who drove a Jaguar vehicle into the Acura vehicle Justine was occupying must be punished by law.

She intimated Elrad’s parents had been irresponsible – there are videos of Elrad driving recklessly in neighbourhoods being a minor and unlicensed.

“The boy must face the law to its full extent. So that it serves as a deterrent,” Justine’s grandmother said. “Else, this will go on unabated. And so parents should be more responsible.”

She indicated she was aware the Elrad’s parents had been arrested, arraigned, charged and granted bail, revealing, also, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr George Akuffo Dampare had called her.

Read: Bishop Salifu Amoako, wife, 1 other person charged with allowing 'unlicensed person to drive', granted bail

“Justice won’t bring my granddaughter back but it’ll serve as a deterrent,” she emphasised.

“We’ve raised many a spoilt child [in this country],” she bemoaned.

Elrad’s father, Bishop Elisha Salifu Amoako, is the founder and overseer of the Alive Chapel International. In a viral video, he has been seen pleading for mercy from the families of Justine Abgenu and Maame Dwomoh Boaten who were consumed by fire when the Jaguar Elrad was driving rammed into the Acura.

According to Justine’s grandmother, she had so far not allowed any pastor into her home because the issue is in court and had to be dealt there.

On Saturday, October 19, a church service was held at the Agape House New Testament Church, East Legon, to bid Maame Dwomoh Boaten farewell.