The lawyer representing the former Board Chairperson of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, has withdrawn his services in a case in which the former chair and the fund’s Chief Executive Officer, Solomon Asamoah, are standing trial for allegedly causing a $2 million financial loss to the state in a transaction to develop an urban sky train system in Accra.
The two are facing six counts of conspiracy, wilfully causing financial loss to the state, and intentional dissipation of public funds before the High Court. They have both pleaded not guilty to the charges.
When the case was called on Monday, October 13 at 12:06, for the prosecution to call its first witness, counsel for Mr. Asamoah was present, but Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi appeared without legal representation.
Presiding judge, Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, asked the accused about his lawyer’s absence. Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi responded that he had a misunderstanding with his lawyer, Duke Aaron Sasu, which was being resolved through mediation.
However, a court clerk later informed the judge of a letter submitted by Mr. Sasu, formally withdrawing from the case.
“Your lawyer has written a letter that he is no longer representing you,” Justice Kocuvie-Tay told the accused.
Meanwhile, lawyers for Mr. Asamoah, led by Victoria Barth, have filed an application for a stay of proceedings pending the determination of an appeal against the trial court’s decision dismissing their motion for further disclosures. The application is scheduled to be heard on October 20, 2025.
The court subsequently adjourned the case to allow the defence team to serve the prosecution and for Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi to secure new legal representation.
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