How Dr Jesse Amuah, wife was murdered over GH¢1,500 payment dispute

A dispute over a GH¢1,500 payment allegedly escalated into the murder of 80-year-old medical doctor Dr Jesse Amuah and his 64-year-old wife, Elizabeth Esi Amuah, at Asylum Down in Accra.

The suspect, Abraham Newton Awundok, a security guard who occasionally assisted the couple with household chores, has been remanded by the Adabraka District Court on two counts of murder.

The prosecution told the court that Awundok first met the couple in January 2026 while working with a private security company located opposite their residence. He later began assisting them with household chores in exchange for payment.

According to the prosecution, trouble started on March 22, 2026, when Awundok completed his chores and demanded payment from Mrs Amuah.

Instead of money, she allegedly offered him toothpaste and deodorant, which he accepted, but he continued to demand his payment.

The disagreement continued the following day.

The court heard that at about 10:00 a.m. on March 23, Awundok returned to the couple’s residence and, after completing his chores, demanded GH¢1,500 from Mrs Amuah.

A misunderstanding followed, and Awundok initially left the house after exchanging words with her.

The prosecution said he later returned and told Mrs Amuah that her alleged bad character was the reason people did not want to work or stay with her.

Mrs Amuah reportedly responded with insults, prompting Awundok to allegedly pick up a pestle and strike her several times on the head.

Her screams attracted her husband, Dr Amuah, who went to intervene.

Awundok allegedly attacked the doctor with a kitchen knife, causing multiple injuries to his face, before striking him with a pestle and a piece of concrete.

The prosecution said Awundok continued assaulting the couple with the concrete while they lay unconscious until they died.

He allegedly fled the residence in the couple’s Nissan Sunny, registration number GT 159-X, carrying their mobile phones, an unspecified amount of money and other valuables.

The prosecution further told the court that Awundok returned to the house around 10:00 p.m. on March 24, wrapped the bodies in curtains and clothes, placed them in a “Ghana Must Go” bag and dumped them in the septic tank.

He allegedly concealed the clothes he wore during the attack in the tank, sealed it with cement mortar and cleaned bloodstains from the scene.

The prosecution said Awundok later sold one of the couple’s phones to a mobile money vendor at Cantonments for GH¢700 and handed the vehicle to his sister to use for Uber or taxi operations.

He subsequently fled to Dubai on April 22. After the couple’s family became concerned about their prolonged absence, the matter was reported to the police on April 30.

Police investigations eventually led to the discovery of the bodies and Awundok’s clothes in the septic tank. The bodies were retrieved and deposited at the Police Hospital for preservation and autopsy.

A post-mortem examination conducted on May 7 established the cause of death as severe head injury and suspected assault.

Police intelligence later led to Awundok’s arrest at his hideout in Dubai. He was brought back to Ghana on August 30, 2026.

During interrogation, Awundok allegedly admitted to the killings, telling investigators that he acted out of anger following the insults he received from Mrs Amuah. He reportedly pleaded for forgiveness.

Awundok has been charged with two counts of murder, but his plea was not taken.

The court has adjourned the case to September 21, 2026.

Source: GNA