The trial involving the controversial Sky Train project has entered a crucial stage, with lawyers for former Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) Chief Executive Officer Solomon Asamoah and former Board Chairman Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi asking the court to dismiss the case against their clients.
The defence has filed a submission of no case after the Attorney General concluded its prosecution, arguing that the evidence presented does not establish any criminal wrongdoing on the part of the accused persons.
According to the defence, the alleged $2 million loss linked to the Sky Train project was caused by the global disruption triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic rather than any unlawful conduct by the former GIIF officials.
The prosecution had called three witnesses during the trial, including former GIIF Board member Yaw Odame-Darkwa, acting Board Secretary Kofi Boakye, and National Intelligence Bureau investigator Francis Aboagye. Their testimonies centred on claims that the GIIF Board did not approve the project for which the funds were allegedly disbursed.
However, the defence maintains that the prosecution has failed to produce sufficient evidence to warrant the accused persons opening their defence. They contend that the circumstances leading to the loss of the investment were beyond the control of the accused and reflected the economic impact of the pandemic on projects and businesses worldwide.
Mr. Asamoah and Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi are facing charges of causing financial loss to the state over the alleged release of $2 million for the proposed Sky Train project without the requisite board approval.
The case is being heard by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, who granted the defence three weeks to file its submission of no case.
The court will now determine whether the prosecution has established a prima facie case requiring the accused persons to respond to the allegations or whether the charges should be dismissed at this stage of the proceedings.
The ruling is expected to be a significant moment in the high-profile case, which has attracted considerable public attention due to the scale of the investment and the controversy surrounding the stalled Sky Train project.
