Solomon Asamoah, the first accused in the ongoing Sky Train case and the former CEO of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), is still in detention after he was unable to comply with bail requirements set a week ago.
Along with Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, the former chair of the fund’s board, Mr. Asamoah is on trial for allegedly knowingly inflicting financial damage on the state and wasting public monies.
The two are charged with approving the $2 million in public monies that were transferred from GIIF accounts to Africa Investor Holdings, the business that was hired to construct and run the projected Sky Train project. Prosecutors claim that no work was done to support the payment and that the transfer was conducted without the required authorization.
Solomon Asamoah entered a not guilty plea to the allegations during his first court appearance on May 13 and was given GH¢15 million bail with two sureties, both of whom had to provide landed property in Accra as collateral.
Nevertheless, it was discovered during proceedings on Tuesday, May 20, that Mr. Asamoah has not yet complied with those bail requirements and is still being held.
Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi, who missed the first arraignment because of health issues, was not present in court on Tuesday either. The former board chair was taken to the hospital early on Tuesday morning, according to his attorney, Duke Aaron Sasu, who told the court.
The case’s presiding judge, Justice Comfort Tasiame, voiced concern over Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi’s frequent medical crises, which seem to occur on the same days as the scheduled court appearances.
In spite of this, Mr. Sasu promised the court that his client would be present on Friday for arraignment.
The prosecution may reevaluate its strategy with regard to Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi in the subsequent hearing; the state, represented by Deputy Attorney General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, recognized the judge’s assessment.
The case has been postponed until 10:00 a.m. on Monday, May 26.
Source: newsthemegh.com