Supreme Court Rejects Injunction Bid, Allows Skytrain Trial to Proceed

Key Takeaways

• Supreme Court dismissed former GIIF CEO Solomon Asamoah's request for an interlocutory injunction.
• High Court is authorized to continue the Skytrain corruption trial while the certiorari appeal remains pending.
• Accused parties must file their defence by September 23, the court‑set deadline.
• Former GIIF board chair Professor Christopher Ameyaw Ekumfi has lodged a separate stay application scheduled for September 1.

The legal dispute surrounding Ghana's Skytrain project intensified after the High Court ruled against former Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund chief executive Solomon Asamoah. Accused of authorising a $2 million payment without board approval, Asamoah sought to halt the proceedings through a series of Supreme Court applications.

Justice Senyo Dzamefe, hearing the matter as a single Justice, concluded that the injunction request lacked merit, thereby permitting the lower court to resume the trial. The decision leaves the certiorari application unresolved but does not pause the ongoing judicial process.

Legal Background

The Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund was created to channel private capital into national infrastructure. In 2022, the agency announced a Skytrain venture intended to alleviate urban congestion. Allegations later emerged that $2 million earmarked for the project was transferred without the requisite board endorsement, prompting criminal charges against Asamoah and former board chair Professor Christopher Ameyaw Ekumfi.

The High Court initially dismissed Asamoah's claim of “no case” after the prosecution completed its presentation. That ruling became the focal point of his subsequent Supreme Court applications, which argued procedural overreach and potential prejudice.

Supreme Court Decision

Justice Dzamefe examined the affidavit evidence submitted by Asamoah and determined that it failed to establish a serious case warranting a stay of proceedings. The judgment emphasized that any substantive legal errors could be addressed through the standard appellate route rather than an interlocutory injunction.

The court also rejected the assertion that the High Court had acted beyond its jurisdiction in evaluating the “no case” submission. Moreover, Asamoah did not demonstrate any irreparable harm that would justify halting the trial pending a higher‑court review.

Potential Impact

By allowing the High Court to move forward, the ruling sustains momentum in a case that has attracted significant public scrutiny. The Skytrain trial now proceeds against a backdrop of heightened expectations for transparency in public‑private partnerships.

Political observers note that the outcome may influence future oversight mechanisms within the GIIF and similar bodies. A conviction could reinforce accountability standards, while an acquittal might prompt legislative revisions to safeguard large‑scale infrastructure financing.

Looking Ahead

The next procedural milestone is the High Court's defense filing deadline on September 23. Concurrently, Professor Ameyaw Ekumfi's stay application will be heard by the Court of Appeal on September 1, potentially introducing further judicial delays.

Stakeholders will monitor how appellate decisions intersect with the ongoing trial, as the resolution carries implications for Ghana's broader infrastructure agenda and public confidence in anti‑corruption institutions.