Duke Aaron Sasu, counsel for the former board chairperson of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, has formally notified the court of his intention to withdraw legal representation.
Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi is standing trial alongside the fund’s former CEO, Solomon Asamoah, over allegations of causing financial loss to the state and intentional dissipation of public funds.
The charges relate to a $2 million payment made in connection with the now-defunct SkyTrain project.
According to the prosecution, the funds were disbursed without board approval and for work that was never carried out.
The case, initially adjourned from July 30 to October 13 to allow the prosecution to call its first witness, could not proceed as schedule.
Addressing the court, however, the accused explained that a misunderstanding had arisen between him and his lawyer, which is currently being mediated.
However, the presiding judge, Her Ladyship Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, informed Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi that the court had officially received a letter from his counsel, indicating his decision to withdraw from the case.
Meanwhile, an application filed by the second accused, Solomon Asamoah, seeking a stay of proceedings, has been adjourned to October 20.
His legal team, led by Victoria Barth, filed the motion following an appeal against the court’s earlier decision to deny a request for further disclosures.
