Former Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) Chief Executive Officer Solomon Asamoah and former Board Chairman Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi have been granted another extension to file their witness statements in the ongoing $2 million SkyTrain trial.
The High Court in Accra, presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, granted the two accused persons a third extension after their lawyers asked the court for more time to deal with fresh applications pending before the Supreme Court.
The court directed Mr Asamoah and Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi to file their witness statements by September 23, 2026.
The case has also been adjourned to October 5, 2026, at 9 a.m., with a case management conference scheduled for October 5, 6 and 7.
The prosecution had opposed the request for another extension, arguing that the accused persons had already been given adequate time to prepare and file their defence processes.
Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai told the court that the accused persons were initially directed on July 2 to file their defence processes within 21 days.
According to the prosecution, after their applications for a stay of proceedings pending appeal were dismissed on July 30, the court granted them another 21 days to comply.
That second deadline expired on August 20, 2026. However, the latest applications by the two accused persons were filed on August 21, a day after the deadline.
Dr Srem-Sai therefore urged the court to consider the failure to file the defence processes as an indication that the accused persons had chosen not to defend themselves.
He further urged the court to proceed with the matter, noting that it had already found that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against the accused persons.
Counsel for Solomon Asamoah, Prince Asafo Adjei, explained that the defence had invoked the supervisory jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and filed an interlocutory injunction application.
The application is expected to come before the Supreme Court on August 27.
Lawyer for Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, Godfred Gyimah Okyere, also told the court that his client had filed a fresh application seeking a stay of proceedings pending an appeal, with the application scheduled to be heard on September 1.
In her ruling, Justice Kocuvie-Tay maintained 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 two accused persons another extension to file their witness statements.
She warned that should they fail to comply with the latest deadline, the court would proceed in accordance with the law.
The case concerns an alleged $2 million payment made by GIIF in connection with the proposed Accra SkyTrain project, which was never constructed.
The prosecution alleges that the payment was made without the requisite approval of the GIIF Board.
Solomon Asamoah and Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi have been charged with offences including wilfully causing financial loss to the State and intentional dissipation of public funds.
The two accused persons have not been convicted, and the charges against them remain allegations to be determined by the court.
