The defense counsel for Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, the former board chairman of Ghana’s Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), has formally withdrawn from his role in the high-profile $2 million SkyTrain trial, further stalling proceedings in the case.
Duke Aaron Sasu, who had represented Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi, informed the court in a letter of his decision to exit the trial. The move was confirmed on Monday by presiding judge Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, who acknowledged receipt of the formal withdrawal notice.
Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi, along with GIIF’s former CEO Solomon Asamoah, faces charges of causing financial loss to the state and the willful dissipation of public funds. The accusations stem from a $2 million payment related to the now-defunct SkyTrain project—funds prosecutors allege were disbursed without board approval and for services that were never rendered.
The case was originally adjourned from July 30 to October 13 to allow the prosecution to present its first witness. However, with the unexpected departure of the defense attorney and ongoing internal disputes, the trial failed to proceed as scheduled.
In court, Ameyaw-Akumfi attributed the development to a misunderstanding between him and his lawyer, which he said is currently being mediated. No replacement counsel has been confirmed.
Meanwhile, the second defendant, Mr. Asamoah, is seeking a stay of proceedings. His legal team, led by Victoria Barth, has filed a motion following an appeal against the court’s prior refusal to grant further disclosure of case materials. That application is now set to be heard on October 20.
The SkyTrain case has drawn scrutiny over accountability in the management of Ghana’s public infrastructure funds, particularly in light of the government’s continued push to attract private investment in transport and urban mobility projects.
