Former GIIF CEO Seeks Court Order to Compel 15 Witnesses in $2m Sky Train Trial

Solomon Asamoah, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) and the first accused in the high-profile “Sky Train” trial, has filed a request with the High Court to compel 15 individuals to testify in his defence, a move that signals a new and contentious phase in the ongoing criminal proceedings .

The application, disclosed by Deputy Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Justice Srem-Sai in a social media post over the weekend, comes after the defence team initially indicated it had no witnesses of its own to call . Asamoah now wants the court to issue orders for a diverse group of figures—including former government ministers, current and former GIIF officials, the Auditor-General, and representatives from major accounting firms—to appear and give evidence on his behalf .

The list of proposed witnesses is notable for its mix of political and financial heavyweights. It includes Joe Ghartey, the former Minister for Railway Development, who was at the helm of the ministry during the early stages of the Sky Train negotiations . Also named are Nana Dwemoh Benneh, the current CEO of GIIF, and Dr. Pamela Graham, the Auditor-General . The defence is also seeking testimony from key figures in the private sector and audit space, including Daniel Kwadwo Owusu of Deloitte Ghana and George Arhin of PricewaterhouseCoopers, alongside several former GIIF directors such as Harriet Abban, Andrews Agyenim Boateng, and Tweneboa Kodua Fokuo .

The substantive case centers on an alleged US2 million to Africa Investor Holdings Limited in February 2019 for an equity stake in a company associated with the project . The state maintains that this transaction was executed without the requisite approval from the GIIF Board and that the railway system was never constructed, resulting in a total loss of the funds .

Both accused persons have pleaded not guilty to six charges, including conspiracy to willfully cause financial loss to the Republic and conspiracy to commit intentional dissipation of public funds .

The trial has already traversed a lengthy procedural history. The prosecution closed its case in May 2026 after calling three witnesses . In July 2026, the High Court dismissed a submission of no case filed by the accused, ruling that they had a case to answer and directing them to open their defence . Following this, the defence filed witness statements in September 2026 .

Asamoah’s latest request to compel witnesses represents a strategic shift. By seeking a court order, the defence appears to be aiming to force testimony from officials who were directly involved in the project’s approval processes or subsequent audits, potentially to establish that the transaction had some level of official awareness or procedural backing. The inclusion of the Auditor-General and private audit firms suggests the defence may focus on the characterization of the US$2 million payment—whether it was a legitimate equity investment as recorded in GIIF’s audited financial statements or an unauthorized dissipation of public funds as the prosecution alleges .

Legal analysts suggest that the court’s decision on whether to grant the order will significantly shape the defence’s case. If granted, it would force reluctant or potentially hostile witnesses to testify under oath, a process that could either bolster the defence’s narrative or backfire by reinforcing the prosecution’s claims of missing board approvals.

The case has been adjourned pending the court’s ruling on the application. The High Court, presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, is expected to determine whether the 15 individuals will be compelled to appear in the coming weeks .