Court grants former GIIF bosses final extension to file defence in $2m SkyTrain case
The High Court in Accra has granted former Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) Chief Executive Officer Solomon Asamoah and former Board Chairman Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi another extension to file their witness statements in the $2 million SkyTrain trial.
Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay directed the two accused persons to file their witness statements by September 23, 2026, following separate applications by their lawyers for an adjournment pending the determination of fresh applications before the Supreme Court.
The court also scheduled a case management conference for October 5, 6 and 7, 2026, and adjourned the trial to October 5 at 9 a.m.
Prosecution Opposes Further Delay
The prosecution opposed the applications, arguing that the accused persons had already been given sufficient time to prepare and file their defence.
Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai told the court that on July 2, the accused persons were given 21 days to file their defence processes.
After their applications for a stay of proceedings pending appeal were dismissed on July 30, the court granted them an additional 21 days to comply with the order.
According to the prosecution, the second deadline expired on August 20, but the accused persons filed their latest applications on August 21.
Dr Srem-Sai urged the court to treat their failure to file the required processes as an indication that they had elected not to defend themselves and to proceed with conviction, noting that the court had already found that the prosecution had established a prima facie case.
Defence Cites Supreme Court Applications
Counsel for Mr Asamoah, Prince Asafo Adjei, told the court that the defence had invoked the supervisory jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and filed an interlocutory injunction application, which is scheduled to be heard on August 27.
Lawyer for Professor Ameyaw-Akumfi, Godfred Gyimah Okyere, also informed the court that his client had filed a fresh application seeking a stay of proceedings pending appeal. The application is scheduled for hearing on September 1.
In her ruling, Justice Kocuvie-Tay held that the filing of 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 persons another extension to file their witness statements, while warning that the court would proceed in accordance with the law if they failed to meet the new deadline.
Case Centres on Uncompleted SkyTrain Project
The case concerns an alleged $2 million payment made by GIIF in connection with the proposed Accra SkyTrain project, which was never constructed.