Adabraka Court: Abraham Newton Awundok Murder Trial Ghana Begins

• Abraham Newton Awundok, 32, has been remanded by the Adabraka District Court for the alleged murder of Dr. Jesse Amuah (80) and Elizabeth Esi Amuah (64).
• The alleged double murder in Asylum Down, Accra, occurred on March 23, 2026, following a GH¢1,500 payment dispute.
• Awundok is accused of concealing the bodies in a septic tank, fleeing with valuables, and later being arrested in Dubai and deported to Ghana.
• He reportedly admitted to the killings during interrogation, citing anger over insults.
• Awundok faces two counts of murder, with his plea yet to be taken, and the case adjourned to September 21, 2026.

The charges stem from a dispute over a GH¢1,500 payment.

Abraham Newton Awundok, a 32-year-old security guard, has been remanded into custody by the Adabraka District Court in connection with the alleged murder of an elderly couple in Asylum Down, Accra. The charges stem from a dispute over a GH¢1,500 payment. Awundok stands accused of killing Dr. Jesse Amuah, aged 80, and his wife, Elizabeth Esi Amuah, aged 64, on March 23, 2026. The case, which has drawn significant attention in Ghana, involves allegations of a violent confrontation leading to the deaths of both victims.

The prosecution has charged Awundok with two counts of murder. While he has been formally charged, his plea has not yet been entered before the court. The proceedings are ongoing, with the next hearing scheduled for September 21, 2026. This Abraham Newton Awundok murder trial in Ghana highlights the serious nature of disputes that can escalate to tragic outcomes, bringing the focus of the legal system onto the detailed examination of evidence and motive.

The court heard that Awundok, who worked for a private security firm located opposite the couple's residence, became acquainted with Dr. and Mrs. Amuah in January 2026. He began assisting them with household chores for remuneration. A critical disagreement reportedly arose on March 22, 2026, when Awundok requested payment from Mrs. Amuah after completing his tasks. Instead of cash, he was offered toothpaste and deodorant, which he accepted, but he continued to press for his monetary payment, leading to an argument.

The situation allegedly escalated the following day, March 23, 2026, when Awundok returned to the Amuah residence around 10:00 AM, demanding GH¢1,500 from Mrs. Amuah. Following another heated exchange, he departed, only to return later and confront Mrs. Amuah about her 'bad character,' suggesting it deterred people from working for her. The prosecution alleges that Mrs. Amuah responded with insults, at which point Awundok reportedly attacked her repeatedly on the head with a pestle. Her cries for help brought Dr. Amuah to the scene, where Awundok allegedly assaulted him using a kitchen knife, a pestle, and a piece of cement concrete. Both victims were reportedly struck until they succumbed to their injuries, with a post-mortem later confirming severe head injury and suspected assault as the cause of death.

Following the alleged murders, Awundok reportedly fled the scene in the couple's Nissan Sunny, bearing registration number GT 159-X, taking their mobile phones, cash, and other valuables. The court was informed that he returned to the house the subsequent night to dispose of the bodies. He allegedly wrapped them in curtains and clothing, placed them into a 'Ghana Must Go' bag, and then deposited them in a septic tank. To further conceal the crime, he reportedly sealed the septic tank with cement mortar and meticulously cleaned up bloodstains from the premises.

In the days that followed, Awundok allegedly sold one of the stolen phones to a mobile money vendor in Cantonments for GH¢700 and entrusted the couple's vehicle to his sister for use in Uber and taxi operations. He then departed Ghana for Dubai on April 22, 2026. The couple's family reported them missing on April 30, 2026, after approximately a month of no contact. Police investigations subsequently led to the discovery of the bodies and Awundok's clothing within the septic tank. Through intelligence efforts, authorities successfully traced Awundok to his hiding place in Dubai, leading to his arrest and subsequent deportation back to Ghana on August 30, 2026. During interrogation, he reportedly admitted to the killings, attributing his actions to anger over Mrs. Amuah's insults, and sought forgiveness.

This article provides a factual update on a significant murder trial in Ghana, detailing the initial charges, evidence presented, and the accused's remand. Criminal lawyers should note the procedural aspects of the case, including the handling of evidence related to motive, flight, and the initial court proceedings.

Source: Original reporting via Adomonline.com