The prosecution in the high-profile $2 million Sky Train scandal case is poised to present its first witness, but proceedings were stalled on Monday, October 27, 2025, forcing the High Court to issue a firm warning to one of the key defendants.

Presiding over the Criminal Division, Justice Audrey Kocuvi-Tay cautioned former Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) Board Chairman, Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, that the trial would proceed in his absence if he fails to appear with formal legal representation by Wednesday, October 29, 2025.

The stern caution came after Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi appeared in court without counsel, explaining that his newly acquired lawyer, Yaw Boafo, had not completed the necessary court registration process.

The Charges: Financial Loss to the State over Sky Train Fiasco

Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi and co-accused Solomon Asamoah, the former GIIF Chief Executive Officer, are facing serious criminal charges, including conspiracy and wilfully causing financial loss to the state.

The charges stem from their alleged roles in the disbursement of a substantial $2 million from GIIF towards the controversial Accra Sky Train project.

This project, which was touted as a massive 200km urban rail network, allegedly involved a payment made to Africa Investor Holdings Limited in February 2019 for shares in an associated entity, a payment that prosecutors contend was made without proper board approval and lacked due diligence.

The total cost of the ambitious project was once estimated to be between $2.6 billion and $3.2 billion, yet the $2 million initial payment has been widely criticised as an unauthorised loss, especially since the Sky Train system never materialised.

Chief State Attorney Sefakor Batse expressed significant frustration with the continued delays, stating unequivocally that the prosecution was ready to commence its substantive case.

The Chief State Attorney, Sefakor Batse, expressed frustration over the delay, noting that the prosecution’s first witness was ready to testify.

Defence Fails in Bid for Crucial Documents

Prior to the judge's caution, the court ruled on a contentious application from the defence seeking to compel the prosecution to disclose documents they deemed exculpatory—meaning they could prove their clients' innocence.

Victoria Barth, counsel for the first accused (Mr. Asamoah), argued that documents, including minutes of GIIF board and committee meetings, contained information vital to their clients’ defence.

Victoria Barth, counsel for the first accused, argued that the documents—including minutes of board and committee meetings—contained information crucial to demonstrating that the investment was duly authorised.

Duke Aaron Sasu, who previously represented Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi, fully adopted this position, insisting on full disclosure by the prosecution.

However, Deputy Attorney-General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai opposed the motion, stating that the requested materials were not in the possession of the prosecution or investigators.

Justice Kocuvi-Tay dismissed the defence’s application, ruling that the materials had not been proven to be in the prosecution’s possession.

She added that the defence could pursue other legal avenues to obtain the documents if necessary, clearing the way for the trial to finally begin this week.