On March 23, 2026, a dispute over a GH¢1,500 payment escalated into the murder of 80‑year‑old medical doctor Dr Jesse Amuah and his 64‑year‑old wife, Elizabeth Esi Amuah, at their residence in Asylum Down, Accra. The suspect, Abraham Newton Awundok, a security guard who had occasionally helped the couple with household chores, has been remanded by the Adabraka District Court on two counts of murder.
Awundok first met the Amuahs in January 2026 while working for a private security company opposite their home. He later began assisting them in exchange for payment. The prosecution told the court that the first payment dispute occurred on March 22 when Awundok finished chores and demanded money from Mrs Amuah. She offered toothpaste and deodorant instead, which he accepted, but he continued to demand the full amount. The disagreement carried over to March 23, when Awundok returned at about 10:00 a.m., completed chores, and again demanded GH¢1,500. A misunderstanding followed, and Awundok left after an exchange of words.
He later returned, accusing Mrs Amuah of a bad character that kept people away. When she insulted him, Awundok allegedly struck her several times on the head with a pestle. Her screams drew her husband, who tried to intervene. Awundok then attacked Dr Amuah with a kitchen knife, struck him with a pestle and a piece of cement concrete, and continued assaulting both until they died. The prosecution said he fled in the couple’s Nissan Sunny, taking their phones, money and other valuables.
Awundok allegedly returned on March 24 at around 10:00 p.m., wrapped the bodies in curtains and clothes, placed them in a “Ghana Must Go” bag, and dumped them in the septic tank. He concealed the clothes he wore during the attack in the tank, sealed it with cement mortar and cleaned the scene. He later sold one of the couple’s phones for GH¢700 and handed the vehicle to his sister for Uber or taxi use. On April 22, he fled to Dubai.
The couple’s family reported their prolonged absence to the police on April 30, leading to the discovery of the bodies and Awundok’s clothes in the septic tank. The bodies were taken to the Police Hospital for preservation and autopsy. A post‑mortem on May 7 confirmed severe head injuries and suspected assault as the cause of death. Police intelligence led to Awundok’s arrest in Dubai, and he was brought back to Ghana on August 30, 2026. During interrogation, he admitted to the killings, citing anger over the insults he received, and pleaded for forgiveness. He has been charged with two counts of murder, but his plea was not taken. The case is adjourned to September 21, 2026.
