The High Court in Accra has given former Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) Chief Executive Officer Solomon Asamoah and former Board Chairman Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi additional time to file their witness statements in the ongoing $2 million SkyTrain case.
Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay granted the two accused persons a third extension after their lawyers separately requested more time to allow the Supreme Court to determine fresh applications they have filed in connection with the case.
The court directed both former officials to file their witness statements by September 23, 2026.
A case management conference has also been scheduled for October 5, 6 and 7, while the trial has been adjourned to October 5 at 9 a.m.
Prosecution opposes further extension
The prosecution objected to the request for another extension, arguing that the accused persons had already been given adequate opportunity to prepare and submit their defence processes.
Deputy Attorney-General, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, told the court that the accused persons were initially ordered on July 2 to file their defence processes within 21 days.
Following the dismissal of their applications for a stay of proceedings pending an appeal on July 30, the court subsequently granted them another 21 days to comply.
According to the prosecution, the second deadline elapsed on August 20, but the accused persons filed their latest applications for further time on August 21.
Dr Srem-Sai urged the court to consider the failure to file the required processes as an indication that the accused had opted not to mount a defence.
He therefore asked the court to proceed with the case and convict the accused, arguing that the prosecution had already established a prima facie case against them.
Defence seeks Supreme Court intervention
Lawyer for Mr Asamoah, Prince Asafo Adjei, told the court that his client had invoked the supervisory jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and had filed an interlocutory injunction application.
The application is scheduled to be heard on August 27.
Counsel for Professor Ameyaw-Akumfi, Godfred Gyimah Okyere, also informed the court that his client had filed another application seeking a stay of the proceedings pending an appeal.
That application is scheduled for hearing on September 1.
Court grants final extension
In her ruling, Justice Kocuvie-Tay noted that the applications filed at the Supreme Court did not prevent the High Court from continuing with the criminal proceedings.
However, she exercised her discretion to give the two accused persons another opportunity to submit their witness statements.
The judge directed them to comply with the new deadline and warned that the court would take the appropriate legal steps if they failed to do so.
The case relates to an alleged $2 million payment by GIIF connected to the proposed Accra Sky Train project, which was never completed.
The prosecution alleges that the payment was made without the required approval of the GIIF Board.
Mr Asamoah and Professor Ameyaw-Akumfi are facing charges including wilfully causing financial loss to the State and intentional dissipation of public funds in connection with the transaction.
