The High Court has been informed of a medical emergency concerning Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, the former chairperson of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), as the trial continues in the two million dollar Sky Train case.
On Tuesday morning, defense lawyer Duke Aaron Sasu reported that Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi was rushed to the emergency ward. He and former GIIF CEO Solomon Asamoah were charged on May 13 with causing financial loss to the state related to the Sky Train project.
The charges include six counts of conspiracy to commit a crime, willfully causing financial loss to the Republic, and intentional dissipation of public funds. Solomon Asamoah has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has been granted bail of fifteen million Ghana cedis, though he remains in custody due to his inability to meet the bail conditions.
Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi was unable to attend court last Thursday due to surgery at the University of Ghana Medical Center. His plea was postponed to May 20. In court, Sasu informed that the professor was again hospitalized on the day of the proceedings but is expected to be available by Friday, May 23. He also promised to provide a hospital report to the court.
Justice Comfort Tasiame remarked on the recurring pattern of Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi being hospitalized on court days, a sentiment echoed by Deputy Attorney-General Dr. Serm Sai, who questioned the timing of these medical emergencies.
The prosecution plans to make a statement regarding how to proceed with the second accused on May 23. Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi and Mr. Asamoah allegedly authorized a payment of two million dollars to Africa Investor Holdings Limited in February 2019 for an urban Sky Train system in Accra, a project that was never realized.
Dr. Srem-Sai stated that due diligence procedures were not followed prior to the payment, and investigations revealed that no Board approval was sought for the transaction. In his caution statement, Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi claimed he had obtained board approval, a statement refuted by other board members during their police investigations.
The case is set to resume on May 26, when the court will take the plea of the accused.
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