In the ongoing trial over the contentious Accra Sky Train project, which allegedly cost the state $2 million, Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), did not appear before the High Court on Tuesday, May 20, citing health reasons.
Duke Aaron Sasu, his attorney, told the judge that his client’s absence was brought on by a medical emergency.
Early on Tuesday morning, Mr. Sasu, the former Education Minister of the previous Kufuor administration, was taken to the University of Ghana Medical Center’s (UGMC) emergency room.
It’s still unknown what exactly Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi’s illness is.
His legal team has, nevertheless, voiced optimism that he would fully recuperate and be prepared to stand trial when the time comes.
This occurrence comes after an earlier explanation was made on May 13th, when Solomon Asamoah, the former CEO of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund and a co-accused of Prof. Akumfi, made his plea.
At that time, Prof. Akumfi’s attorney informed the court that the statesman and scholar was unable to present in court since he had just had surgery at UGMC.
The hearing was postponed until May 26.
Prof. Akumfi is accused of conspiring to commit a crime, namely intentionally causing the Republic to suffer financial losses.
The allegations are related to a payment of US$2 million made to Africa Investor Holdings Limited in 2019 and are filed under Sections 23(1) and 179A(3)(a) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
The money was supposed to help Accra’s urban Skytrain system flourish, but that plan never materialized.
Source: newsthemegh.com