Lawyer for Ex-GIIF Board Chair Withdraws from SkyTrain Case as Trial Delays Continue
The legal representative for former Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) Board Chair, Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi , has formally withdrawn from the ongoing trial over the controversial SkyTrain project. This development has caused further delays in proceedings at the Financial and Economic Division of the Accra High Court.
The withdrawal was confirmed in court on Friday, October 13, when the presiding judge, Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, acknowledged receipt of an official notice from lawyer Duke Aaron Sasu, who cited a dispute with his client as the reason for stepping aside.
Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi, along with former GIIF Chief Executive Solomon Asamoah, faces charges of causing financial loss to the state and misuse of public funds. The charges relate to a $2 million payment made in connection with the now-defunct SkyTrain project.
Background: What Is the SkyTrain Case?
The SkyTrain project was first introduced in 2019 as an ambitious urban rail transport solution intended to ease traffic congestion in Accra. It proposed the construction of an elevated monorail system and was to be financed through public-private partnerships, with GIIF providing early-stage funding.
However, the project was abandoned before reaching implementation. According to the Attorney-General’s Department, $2 million was disbursed for preparatory work that never materialised, allegedly without the full authorization of the GIIF board.
State prosecutors argue that the accused, in their respective roles as board chair and CEO, bypassed standard procedures and committed the fund to a non-viable project, thereby causing financial loss.
The trial, initially adjourned on July 30 to allow the prosecution to present its first witness, was scheduled to resume on October 13. However, it was unable to proceed due to the defence counsel’s withdrawal and an unresolved internal issue between Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi and his former lawyer.
In court, the former board chair confirmed the breakdown in communication with his lawyer, but indicated that efforts were underway to mediate the matter privately.
The judge advised the accused to resolve the issue promptly and secure new legal representation to avoid further delays to the trial.
Meanwhile, the second accused, Solomon Asamoah, has filed an application to stay proceedings. His legal team, led by Victoria Barth, submitted the motion after the court rejected an earlier request for additional disclosures from the prosecution.
Justice Kocuvie-Tay has postponed a ruling on the stay application to October 20, 2025.
The SkyTrain case has drawn public interest due to its implications for infrastructure financing, government accountability, and the stewardship of public funds in Ghana. It also underscores the legal and procedural risks of entering into large-scale investment agreements without thorough due diligence and institutional consensus.
As Ghana continues to pursue public-private partnerships for major infrastructure development especially under financial constraints this case could set an important legal precedent for how public officers are held accountable for failed investments.
Civil society organisations and anti-corruption advocates have welcomed the prosecution of the case but are also calling for transparency in the legal process.
According to IMANI Africa, the lack of board oversight in major government-related investment decisions reflects a pattern that needs urgent policy reform. “Cases like these point to systemic lapses in public financial management that must be addressed through stronger institutional checks,” a policy brief from the think tank noted.
The SkyTrain trial, already beset by delays, faces further uncertainty following the defence counsel’s exit. As the judiciary navigates the legal and procedural hurdles, the outcome of this case will likely have broader implications for how Ghana manages infrastructure investments and safeguards public resources.
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