The Office of the Attorney is expected to parade eight witnesses to testify in the $2 million Sky Train financial loss case involving Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi and Solomon Asamoah, former board chairman and CEO of Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), respectively.
The two former officials are facing a combined six charges including willfully causing financial loss to the republic.
On Tuesday, June 21, when the case was called for Case Management Conference, Mrs Sefakor Batse, a Chief State Attorney indicated that the prosecution will rely on eight witnesses.
Prior to that, the prosecution informed the court of its intention to withdraw the witness statements of four individuals filed on June 3, 1015.
They are – Francis Aboagye, Seth Nana Kwame Osei, Benjamin Nartey Abrokwa, Reginald Okai, and Chief Inspector Kesse.
The prosecution stated that it will instead call eight new witnesses, including Yaw Odame Darkwa, Kofi Boakye, Andrews Agyenim Boateng, Maame Efua Kyerewa Ababio, Yvonne Adoley Sowah, Hon Tweneboah Kodua, Cecilia Gambriah, and Staff Officer Francis Aboagye.
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The defense counsel, however, raised concerns about the withdrawal of the witness statements and the submission of new documents, requesting further particulars and time to assess the documents.
The court ordered the prosecution to present the documents to the defense counsel within 48 hours and adjourned the case to July 9 for ruling on an application filed by counsel for the second accused person.
Meanwhile, the accused persons variation for bail has been also adjourned to July 9.
At the last Court sitting on June 10, the former Board Chairman of Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Ekumfi and former Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Solomon Asamoah sought the High Court’s intervention to vary their bail conditions.
Prof. Ameyaw-Ekumfi and Mr. Asamoah separately want the court to revise their bail conditions that required that they to report to the Police once and thrice a week respectively.
Asamoah is to report to the police every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday till the final determination of the case while Prof. Ameyaw-Ekumfi is to report once a week.
It was the reporting to the police that both accused persons want the High Court to vary.
But, Justice Comfort Tasiame, the presiding judge has since directed the accused persons and their lawyers to file a formal application for the AG’s office to respond.
On that day, also, the Deputy Attorney General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, said prosecution had filed further disclosures on Monday morning which will lead to the withdrawal of the Witness Statement, before case management conference.
Prof. Ameyaw-Ekumfi and Solomon Asamoah have pleaded not guilty to six charges was willfully causing financial losses to the tune $2 million.
Mr. Asamoah, was granted bail in the sum of GHc15 million after pleading not guilty to charges on May 13.
In addition to the bail sum, the Court said he should provide two sureties. The sureties are to justify the bail bond with a registered land or property located in the Greater Accra region.
The sureties are to also deposit copies of their Ghana Cards and digital addresses at the registry of the court.
The Court directed that the first accused is also to deposit his local and foreign passports with the registry of the Court.
Whilst on bail, he is to report to the police every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday till the final determination of the case.
He denied three charges, including conspiracy, causing financial loss, and intentional dissipation of public funds in his involvement in the Sky Train transactions.
He was charged together with the former Board Chairman of the GIIF, Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Ekumfi.
Prof. Ameyaw-Ekumfi had earlier satisfied his bail conditions of GHc10 million, with Kennedy Ohene Agyapong as one of his two sureties.
The case would be recalled on June 24, 2025 for Case Management Conference before Justice Comfort Tasiame, the presiding judge.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Murtala Inusah
