Supreme Court Dismisses Bid to Halt Skytrain Trial

Ghana’s Supreme Court has cleared the way for the High Court to continue the Skytrain trial after rejecting an injunction application from former Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund chief executive Solomon Asamoah.

Asamoah, the first accused, had asked the Supreme Court to overturn the High Court’s decision rejecting his submission of no case. He then sought an interim order preventing the trial from continuing until the Supreme Court ruled on that application.

Justice Senyo Dzamefe dismissed the injunction on Monday after hearing arguments from both sides the previous Friday. The judge said Asamoah’s own affidavit had not demonstrated a serious case to be tried. The court also found that his complaints could properly be addressed through an appeal.

The Supreme Court further held that the trial judge had acted within the court’s jurisdiction when ruling on the submission of no case. It said Asamoah had not shown what irreparable harm he would suffer if the injunction were refused.

The High Court has set September 23 as the final extended deadline for the accused to file their defence, if they choose to do so. Meanwhile, former GIIF board chairman Professor Christopher Ameyaw Ekumfi, the second accused, has filed a separate application to stay proceedings. The Court of Appeal is scheduled to hear it on September 1.

Asamoah and Ameyaw Ekumfi face allegations that $2 million was paid toward the Skytrain project without approval from the GIIF board.