Supreme Court rejects bid to halt Ghana's Skytrain trial

Ghana's Skytrain trial can continue after the Supreme Court rejected an attempt by former Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund chief executive Solomon Asamoah to halt the proceedings.

Asamoah, the first accused, had asked the Supreme Court to quash the High Court's decision rejecting his submission of no case after prosecutors closed their evidence. He then sought an interim injunction to prevent the trial from moving forward while the higher court considered that challenge.

Justice Senyo Dzamefe, sitting as a single Supreme Court justice, dismissed the injunction application on Monday after hearing arguments from both sides the previous Friday. The court said Asamoah's own affidavit did not establish a serious case to be tried. It also said the issues he raised could properly be addressed through an appeal.

The ruling further found that the High Court judge had acted within the court's jurisdiction and that Asamoah had not shown what irreparable harm would result 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.

The second accused, former GIIF board chairman Professor Christopher Ameyaw Ekumfi, has separately applied to stay proceedings. The Court of Appeal is scheduled to hear that application on September 1. Both men face trial over allegations that $2 million was paid toward the Skytrain project without GIIF board approval.