Accra: The State will on October 13, 2025, present its first prosecution witnesses in the SkyTrain trial. The trial involves Mr. Solomon Asamoah, former CEO of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), and Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, former Board Chairman. The witness, Mr. Yaw Dame Darkwa, is a former GIIF Board Member.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Court has adjourned the matter to October to receive the evidence in chief of the first prosecution witness. A request by Counsel for Mr. Asamoah, Madam Victoria Barth, for the prosecution to disclose certain documents was declined by the Court. The request was based on the motion paper and supporting affidavits, which indicated the need for documents to prepare Mr. Asamoah's defense and facilitate effective cross-examination of the prosecution's witnesses.
Madam Barth emphasized that the requested documents constituted exculpatory evidence significant to the defense of the accused. The charges against Mr. Asamoah are centered on an alleged unauthorized investment and disbursement of $2 million. The prosecution has filed several witness statements, including that of an investigator who reviewed GIIF meeting minutes deemed relevant to the case.
The Counsel argued that Mr. Asamoah is entitled to equal access to evidence of meetings that establish the GIIF Board's dealings, approval processes, and the credibility of those denying recollection of approvals. She contested the prosecution's discretion in determining which materials are relevant for the defense's preparation.
Madam Barth noted that the prosecution claimed in their affidavit that the requested documents were singular, not in their possession, and irrelevant to the court's issues. Mr. Duke Aaron Sasu, representing Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi, supported the submissions made by Mr. Asamoah's counsel.
Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, the Deputy Attorney General, opposed the motion, arguing it was based on a misunderstanding of disclosure laws. He stated that the requested materials were neither in the possession of the prosecution nor obtained during investigations, making it impossible to comply with the request.
The Presiding Judge indicated that the requested materials should be with GIIF and others. The Court declined the application, suggesting alternative means to obtain the documents. Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi and Mr. Asamoah face charges of willfully causing financial loss, intentional dissipation of public funds, and conspiracy to commit a crime, to which they pleaded not guilty.
Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi was granted bail of GHS10 million with two sureties, one justified by landed property in Greater Accra Region, and required to deposit his passport and other travel documents. Mr. Asamoah was earlier granted a GH?15 million bail with two sureties justified by registered land or property in Greater Accra, with conditions including passport deposit and police reporting.
The charges, filed under Section 23(1) and Section 179A(3)(a) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), relate to a 2019 payment of $2 million to Africa Investor Holdings Limited in Mauritius for feasibility studies on an unstarted urban sky train project in Accra. The State alleges the payment was made without required board approval, and investigations revealed a lack of due process in fund release.
Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi reportedly authorized the transfer based on a recommendation from the former CEO, yet the accused cannot account for the missing funds. The Accra SkyTrain project aimed to reduce traffic and pollution, with a 2018 Government and AiSky Train Consortium agreement for a $2.6 billion development. Despite the signing of a build-operate-transfer concession agreement in 2019, the project faced unspecified significant hurdles.
The case is adjourned to July 3, 2025, for a hearing on the motion filed by Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi.