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 another opportunity to present their defence in the $2 million SkyTrain case.
Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay granted the two accused persons a third extension to file their witness statements, setting September 23, 2026, as the new deadline.
The decision followed separate applications by the lawyers of the accused persons, who asked the court for more time while they pursue fresh applications before the Supreme Court.
The court also fixed October 5, 6 and 7, 2026, for a case management conference and adjourned the substantive trial to October 5 at 9 a.m.
The prosecution had opposed the applications, arguing that the accused had already been given adequate time to prepare and file their defence.
Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai told the court that the accused were initially directed on July 2 to file their defence processes within 21 days.
After their applications seeking a stay of proceedings pending an appeal were dismissed on July 30, the court granted them another 21 days to comply.
According to the prosecution, that second deadline expired on August 20, but the accused filed their latest applications on August 21.
Dr Srem-Sai argued that the failure to file the defence processes could be interpreted as a decision by the accused not to defend themselves. He urged the court to proceed towards conviction, particularly because the court had previously determined that the prosecution had established a prima facie case.
However, the defence teams maintained that they were pursuing legal avenues before the Supreme Court.
Counsel for Mr Asamoah, Prince Asafo Adjei, told the court that his client had invoked the Supreme Court’s supervisory jurisdiction and filed an interlocutory injunction application, which is scheduled for hearing on August 27.
Counsel for Professor Ameyaw-Akumfi, Godfred Gyimah Okyere, said his client had also filed a fresh application seeking a stay of the High Court proceedings pending an appeal. That application is scheduled to be heard on September 1.
In her ruling, Justice Kocuvie-Tay clarified that the pending applications before the Supreme Court did not prevent the High Court from continuing with the criminal proceedings.
The judge nevertheless exercised her discretion to grant the accused another extension to file their witness statements.
She cautioned that the court would take the appropriate legal steps if the accused failed to comply with the latest deadline.
$2m SkyTrain payment at centre of trial
The case concerns an alleged $2 million payment by GIIF linked to the proposed Accra SkyTrain project, which was never constructed.
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.
The latest ruling keeps the trial moving while giving the two former GIIF officials another opportunity to formally present their defence.
