The Accra High Court has adjourned the trial involving former Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) Chief Executive Officer, Solomon Asamoah, and former Board Chair, Christopher Akumfi, after the first accused asked the court to hold further proceedings until the Supreme Court determines an application challenging the continuation of the case.
The court was scheduled to commence the case management conference on October 5, 2026. However, counsel for Solomon Asamoah, Victoria Barth, informed the court that her client had invoked the supervisory jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in relation to the ongoing proceedings.
Ms. Barth said the application before the Supreme Court seeks orders of certiorari and prohibition, including an order preventing the High Court from further hearing, continuing with or determining the case.
She explained that although the Supreme Court had refused an application for an injunction pending the determination of the substantive application, the first accused had complied with the High Court’s directive to file his witness statement on September 23.
The defence also filed 14 subpoenas on October 2 for persons it intends to cross-examine in the course of its case, subject to the outcome of the Supreme Court proceedings.
Ms. Barth therefore urged the High Court to grant a short adjournment, noting that the return date for the prohibition application at the Supreme Court is October 13.
She argued that proceeding with further stages of the trial before the apex court determines the application could prejudice her client and potentially render the Supreme Court application moot.
Counsel further informed the court that two additional defence witnesses, who are either outside the jurisdiction or otherwise unavailable, would require the court’s permission for their witness statements to be filed.
Counsel for the second accused, Yaw Acheampong Boafo, associated himself with the submissions made by the first accused and indicated that he had nothing further to add.
The prosecution, led by Sefakor Batse, told the court that the state had received the witness statement of the second accused but was yet to receive that of the first accused.
Ms. Batse also said the prosecution had only recently been informed of the additional processes filed by the defence.
Although the state would have preferred the case management conference to proceed, she left the matter to the discretion of the court. She, however, reminded the court that the filing of an application at the Supreme Court does not automatically stay proceedings before the High Court.
Background
The Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund, GIIF, is a statutory fund established to mobilise financial resources for infrastructure development in Ghana and support investment in strategic infrastructure projects.
The proceedings involving the two former GIIF officials have been before the Accra High Court, with the parties at the stage of preparing for the substantive trial and case management process.
The latest development means further steps in the High Court proceedings have been postponed while the first accused pursues his application before the Supreme Court.
The High Court has adjourned the case to Monday, October 19, 2026.
Story by Freedom Etsey Lavoe