Sky Train trial: Former GIIF boss, Ameyaw Akumfi yet to file defence as deadline approaches

Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi and Solomon Asamoah are yet to file their defence in the ongoing Sky Train trial, as disclosed by Deputy Attorney-General Justice Srem-Sai in a Facebook post on Saturday, July 18. The deadline for the two accused persons to file their defence or witness statements expires next week, and the prosecution has not yet received any witness statements from either Solomon Asamoah or Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi.

This update follows the High Court's dismissal of the accused persons' submission of no case two weeks prior, ruling that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence for the trial to continue. The court subsequently directed the two men to open their defence. The case involves a US$2 million payment made by the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund in 2019 for an equity stake in a project development company associated with the proposed Accra Sky Train project. The prosecution contends the payment was authorized without necessary board approval and the project never materialized, causing financial loss to the state. Solomon Asamoah and Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi have denied all charges.